Apple stated that this decision was implemented following a request from China, citing national security reasons, although specific issues caused by these apps were not disclosed.

Other apps like Telegram and Signal were also banned and subsequently removed from the App Store.

In a released statement, Apple said, "The authority responsible for regulating online activities in China requested us to remove these apps, and we are obligated to comply with the laws of the countries in which we operate, even if we do not agree with them."

Technology experts in China reported that their country decided to ban these apps due to a new law that required all apps to register with the government or face suspension.

The deadline was set for the end of March, and the enforcement of this law began on April 1 of this year.