At the request of Chinese authorities, Apple has removed Radio France and France Inter from its application store in China. This decision is linked to the posting of a podcast on Xi Jinping, which has led to listeners in China being sanctioned by losing access to live broadcasts and podcasts.
The French public group expressed regret over the situation, particularly regarding the loss of verified information content. The Radio France app is believed to have a significant impact on Chinese public opinion, with its podcast “Xi Jinping, the red prince” tracing the rise of the Chinese president within the Communist Party.
China closely monitors media and internet activity, strictly regulating and censoring content that may create unrest or portray state policies in a negative light. Many foreign sites, applications, and social networks are inaccessible in China without tools like virtual private networks to circumvent restrictions.
Apple’s products are popular in China, and the company has taken measures to maintain market share by avoiding taking positions on sensitive subjects. In previous instances, Apple has removed apps like WhatsApp and Threads from its App Store at the request of Chinese internet regulators. Apple CEO Tim Cook has held meetings with senior Chinese officials to highlight the importance of the Chinese market to the company. In recent years, Apple has refrained from offending Chinese power or taking stances on politically sensitive issues.
