The American digital giant Apple is in the process of removing Radio France and France Inter from its application store in China at the request of the authorities, the French public group announced on Thursday. This decision comes as a result of the Chinese Cyberspace Administration (CAC) deeming the Radio France application to include content that is illegal in China. The app is said to influence Chinese public opinion, according to Radio France's director of digital and innovation strategy, Laurent Frisch.
Radio France expressed regret over the situation, stating, 'We regret that our listeners based in China find themselves sanctioned by losing simple access to our live broadcasts and podcasts, in particular to our verified information content.' The removal appears to be linked to a podcast on Xi Jinping, titled 'Xi Jinping, the red prince,' which traces the rise of the Chinese president within the Chinese Communist Party.
China is known for closely monitoring its media and the internet, enforcing strict regulation and censorship of content that portrays state policies in a negative light or is likely to create unrest. Many sites, applications, and foreign social networks are inaccessible without virtual private networks (VPNs) to circumvent the blocks.
In April, Apple also removed WhatsApp and Threads from the Chinese version of its App Store at the request of the Chinese internet regulator (CAC). Despite these actions, Apple products remain very popular in China, one of the American group's main markets outside the United States. Apple has always refrained from taking a position on sensitive subjects or offending Chinese power, with its CEO being received several times by senior officials such as a head of state.
- The removal of Radio France and France Inter's applications from the Apple App Store in China highlights the ongoing tension between foreign media outlets and Chinese censorship laws. This move underscores the challenges faced by international companies operating in China, where compliance with local regulations often means adhering to strict censorship rules.
- The targeted podcast, 'Xi Jinping, the red prince,' is a 9-episode series that delves into the political ascent of Xi Jinping within the Chinese Communist Party. The podcast's critical perspective on the Chinese president is likely a key reason for its removal from the app store.
- Apple's compliance with the CAC's request is not an isolated incident. The tech giant has previously removed other applications, such as WhatsApp and Threads, from its Chinese App Store to align with local regulations. This pattern of behavior demonstrates Apple's strategy of prioritizing market access over potential conflicts with Chinese authorities.
- The popularity of Apple products in China continues to grow, making it a crucial market for the company. This dependence on the Chinese market influences Apple's approach to handling sensitive political issues, ensuring that it remains a favorable entity in the eyes of Chinese regulators.
