Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Henry Owen
In a move that underscores China’s tightening restrictions on LGBTQ+ expression, authorities have ordered the removal of two popular gay dating apps from mobile stores across the country. The action, confirmed by Apple to Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Tuesday, marks yet another setback for sexual minorities in a nation where same-sex marriage remains illegal and open advocacy faces growing suppression.
The removal, which affects millions of users, reflects Beijing’s ongoing campaign to regulate online spaces and limit content deemed “inappropriate” or “against traditional values.” Over the past few years, the Chinese government has increased scrutiny of LGBTQ+ organizations, social media accounts, and online platforms, forcing many to shut down or censor themselves.
Activists say the latest action is part of a wider pattern of state control and moral policing under President Xi Jinping, whose administration has promoted conservative social ideals and reinforced restrictions on discussions about gender and sexuality.
While homosexuality is not a crime in China, societal prejudice remains strong, and legal protections for the LGBTQ+ community are virtually nonexistent. Public events celebrating queer identity are often denied permits or abruptly cancelled, and digital platforms — once a safe space for connection and expression — are now under intensified surveillance.
For many LGBTQ+ individuals in China, the disappearance of these apps signals not just a loss of connection, but a deepening sense of isolation in a society that continues to marginalize them.
The latest crackdown highlights a growing tension between China’s push for digital control and the global movement toward equality and inclusion — a divide that continues to widen under Xi’s rule.
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