Apple removes 4,000 gambling apps from China store

BEIJING: Apple Inc pulled thousands of gambling apps from its Chinese store after the nation’s state-run broadcaster accused the firm of dragging its feet on cleaning up banned content.

China Central Television attacked Apple this month for hosting illegal and fake lotteryticket apps, which they said resulted in massive losses for hoodwinked users.

On Sunday, CCTV reported that Apple pulled at least 4,000 apps tagged with the keyword “gambling” on August 9 alone.

The US company confirmed the action and said it was simply complying with regulations. But it underscores both Beijing’s resurgent crackdown on all forms of online content from games to social media and video services, as well as the difficulties facing foreign companies that do business in the world’s second largest economy.

“Gambling apps are illegal and not allowed on the App Store in China,” said Apple.

“We have already removed many apps and developers for trying to distribute illegal gambling apps on our App Store, and we are vigilant in our efforts to find these and stop them from being on the App Store.”