Apple reportedly blocks access to Apple News in China

In this case, Apple, which sees China as a massive market for new iPhone sales, is itself blocking people in the country from accessing Apple News.

Even articles saved by those who are too fearful of the world to venture outside the walled garden for their news have been blocked.

Apple has shut down its Apple News Service in China without prior consent from its users, surrendering to communist China’s demands to censor news Beijing deems unacceptable. Those who have downloaded the app in the country can view content while travelling to other countries, but it does not work in China.

China has strict self-censorship rules that Internet companies must abide by, in addition to the country’s so-called “great firewall” which blocks or slows many foreign web services. Appleinsider.com reported Apple is actively censoring its News app shipped as part of iOS 9 when users inside China try to access the app. “News isn’t supported in your current region.'” Apple declined to comment.

It seems Salibra’s point is, even with location services disabled, Apple still knows your location.

Tech entrepreneur Larry Salibra pointed out the issue in a blog post a few days ago, stating how in Hong Kong just connecting to a mobile signal from the mainland was enough to disable the app’s functionality. You can open up the app without any issue if you happen to have it, but Apple News will time out before a single headline arrives on your iOS device: “Can’t refresh right now. That Apple has little choice doesn’t make it any less creepy or outrageous”, another wrote.

China is Apple’s most promising market but unfortunately it is controlled by a government that wields total control over information and the media. Google has had its run ins with the Chinese government is has been working at softening those relations. Only in the past few months have attempts been made to mend the bridges.

I don’t expect this to change soon.