• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

As U.S. Treasury intervened in the bond market, the Netherlands rushed 86 tons of gold out of America because of ‘geopolitical unrest’

2

Current price of silver as of Thursday, September 3, 2026

3

'Critical employees will begin to retire': Trump’s new pay plan will deny most federal roles a raise, and it has workers warning of a retention crunch

1

As U.S. Treasury intervened in the bond market, the Netherlands rushed 86 tons of gold out of America because of ‘geopolitical unrest’

2

Current price of silver as of Thursday, September 3, 2026

3

'Critical employees will begin to retire': Trump’s new pay plan will deny most federal roles a raise, and it has workers warning of a retention crunch
TechApple

Apple removes popular religious apps in China

By
Felicia Hou
Felicia Hou
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Felicia Hou
Felicia Hou
Down Arrow Button Icon
October 15, 2021, 4:44 PM ET
Google source logo
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Just a day after Microsoft announced the takedown of LinkedIn in China, Apple has removed two popular Quran and Bible apps from the region’s App Store.

One of the stricken apps, Quran Majeed, had close to one million users in China and has approximately 35 million users worldwide. According to a statement from the app’s maker, PDMS, which was originally provided to the BBC, the app was removed by Apple “because it includes content that is illegal.” The BBC later revised this to say, citing PDMS, that the app “includes content that requires additional documentation from Chinese authorities.”

Olive Tree’s Bible app was also taken down this week with the company claiming it was withdrawn by Apple. (Apple did not immediately reply to Fortune’s request for more information about the two app disappearances.)

The Chinese market makes up a significant portion of Apple’s sales, and the company depends heavily on manufacturers in the country to make its products. Some say that the relationship makes it difficult for the tech giant to turn down the government’s requests.

“They need to do the right thing, and then face whatever the reaction is of the Chinese government,” Benjamin Ismail, project director of Apple Censorship, which first spotted the removals, told the BBC. 

As a matter of policy, Apple complies with Chinese censorship. The company regularly removes apps to follow local laws and regulate off-limit topics, like Tiananmen Square and independence for Tibet and Taiwan. 

While the Chinese communist party recognizes Islam as an official religion, the Chinese government has come under fire for major human rights violations against its Turkic Muslim population. In February, it removed political discussion app Clubhouse, where members of China’s Uighur minority and Han majority frequently discussed topics like concentration camps and democracy.

Despite these controversies, it seems as though Apple will continue to follow the Chinese government’s requests. Its Human Rights Policy reads, “We’re required to comply with local laws, and at times there are complex issues about which we may disagree with governments.”

Subscribe to Fortune Daily to get essential business stories straight to your inbox each morning.

About the Author
By Felicia Hou
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Google source logo
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Tech


Most Popular

Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • TikTok icon
  • YouTube icon

    Latest in Tech


    Most Popular

    © 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
    FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.