Apple on Friday said it pulled several messaging apps like Meta 's WhatsApp and Threads from the App Store in China after the nation's government ordered the removal, citing security concerns.
In recent days, Congress has been looking to fast-track legislation to push TikTok's Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest the social media app.
"We are obligated to follow the laws in the countries where we operate, even when we disagree," Apple said in a statement.
"The Cyberspace Administration of China ordered the removal of these apps from the China storefront based on their national security concerns."
Other messaging platforms like Signal and Telegram were also removed from China's App Store.
Persons:
Tim Cook, Joe Biden, Apple
Organizations:
Apple, Economic Cooperation, APEC, U.S, Administration of China
Locations:
Asia, San Francisco , California, China