Staff Writer

Popular tech company, Apple, has removed its Qur’an and Bible apps from its iStore platform in China, under pressure from Chinese authorities. The Qur’an Majeed app, and Olive Tree’s Bible apps were removed, supposedly for possessing incorrect documentation. The app is used by around a million Chinese, and can now only be used on so called ‘jail broken’ iPhones and iPads, through side-loading.

The app’s maker, PDMS, argued that Apple’s reasoning behind the removal was that the app purportedly included “content that requires additional documentation from Chinese authorities.” It added: “We are trying to get in touch with the Cyberspace Administration of China and relevant Chinese authorities to get the issue resolved.”

Beijing has grown increasingly nationalistic and intolerant over the past five years. It has intensified its claims over the South China sea, placing it into competition with other countries including the Philippines. Further, it has implemented what Human Rights Institutions have labelled as genocidal actions and crimes against humanity, toward its minority Uighur population in Xinjiang. Millions of Uighurs have been placed in so called ‘re-education’ camps, which have seen them tortured, sexually abused and even sterilised, all in the name of maintaining purity and a centralised state control. Countries such as the US, Turkey and UK have opposed these measures, however, China’s political and economic might has meant that little action has to date been taken.

China, domestically, has cracked down on the growing popularity and influence of celebrities, especially those who were supposedly effeminate. Further, it has sought to limit game time amongst teenagers, and arrested influential figures, such as Alibaba’s Jack Ma, all in an attempt to institutionalise and strengthen government control.