Popular LGBTIQ+ dating app Grindr has removed itself from Apple's app store in China as international companies grapple with the nation's strict regulatory framework.
Australian Strategic Policy Institute researcher Daria Impiombato said China's "hands-on" approach to content moderation and censorship applies to all apps that operate in the country, and not just LGBTIQ+ content.
In December 2020, Apple took down over 46,000 gaming apps as they failed to obtain a licence needed to operate in China.
Apple also took down a Quran app late last year after requests by Chinese authorities.
"I think the regulatory framework is indeed the reason why they left, and it is a consequence of stricter measures imposed by the state through the latest Personal Information Protection Law," Ms Impiombato said.
"The new law has added increased burdens. Especially for those companies operating outside of China that are attempting to comply, it may be too costly."
China's censorship of LGBTIQ+ content
Some members of the LGBTIQ+ community fear the prospect of the Chinese government accessing their personal information, according to Cedric Yin-Cheng, president of the Australia and New Zealand Tongzhi Rainbow Alliance.
"If Grindr has to hand over my information to Chinese authorities, I would not feel comfortable using it," he told SBS News.
"In China, it’s not uncommon for police in China to go on dating apps and arrest people for what they call 'soliciting sex'."
While homosexuality is not considered a crime, same-sex marriage remains illegal in China. Just five per cent of gay people in China choose to 'come out', .
Chinese company Beijing Kunlun Tech bought Grindr in 2016 for more than A$140 million (US$100 million) but sold it to a US-based company in 2020 after security concerns were raised by US authorities over the potential sharing of personal information.
Grindr in 2018 after it was revealed the company shared people's data, including HIV status, without users' consent to two external companies.
"I would never publicly display my sexuality in China. It would put me in danger," Cedric said.
"People are very discreet on the apps. They don't want to share photos or talk about their sexuality."
The Chinese government has shut down other gay dating apps and organisations, while Chinese apps have also censored LGBTIQ+ content.
BlueCity CEO, Ma Baoli, China's largest dating app for gay men, at the BlueCity headquarters in Beijing. Source: AFP via Getty Images
The LGBTIQ+ dating app Zank was suspended in 2017 after being accused of hosting pornographic content.
Messaging platform QQ last year banned terms such as "LGBTQ" and "gay".
Last July, WeChat shut down dozens of accounts run by university students posting about LGBTIQ+ topics, with an error message claiming content had been blocked "after receiving relevant complaints".
LGBT Rights Advocacy China shut down its social media accounts last November on WeChat and Weibo, announcing: "We are deeply regretful to tell everyone, Queer Advocacy Online will stop all of our work indefinitely."
The group had advocated for same-sex marriage and fought workplace discrimination by helping individuals sue their former employers, .
Blued - a gay dating app - is one exception to the rule.
Employees working at the BlueCity headquarters in Beijing. Source: AFP via Getty Images
The app has survived by becoming more than just a tech company, with HIV-testing offices in Beijing and an online data bank that connects users with other testing centres nationwide.
"They have promoted HIV prevention and distributed education in relation to HIV," Cedric said.
"I think that’s a very good surviving angle there. I just hope they don’t get removed in the future."
What it’s like being LGBTIQ+ in China
Cedric spent much of his time in mainland China and Hong Kong before moving to Australia when he was 19.
He said during his first year of a teaching degree in China, he was sent to a school and asked to teach students about LGBTIQ+ issues and sexuality.
"I was told to say that being LGBTIQ was evil and if students know anyone who is LGBTIQ they should report it to the school," he said.
"I refused to do so and I got fired."
Cedric said stories like his are not uncommon and that huge stigma persists for the LGBTIQ+ community in China.
"Even nowadays in Chinese workplaces, people are afraid to disclose their sexuality for fear of losing their job, or bringing that stigma home," he said.
"There is no sex discrimination or sexual orientation discrimination law in China. There is no way to report cases."
He said the general expectation in Chinese society is to go to university, find a good job, get married and have children.
People take part in the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender (LGBT) parade in Hong Kong on November 6, 2015. Source: AFP
"Being LGBT could mean that you are deviating from that social norm," he said.
"People look at us saying 'hey, the LGBTIQ+ population is not reproducing children, they're not conforming with the reforms in society'."
Cedric now lives in Australia and is married to his partner, something he "never imagined" for himself when he was living in China.
"It was scary back home," he said.
"There was more progress and discussion about same-sex relationships back in 2018 … but there is more taboo about same-sex relationships now, which is sad to see."
SBS News has contacted Apple for comment.
