Greg.D. Posted November 21, 2017 Report Share Posted November 21, 2017 Skype Vanishes From App Stores in China, Including Apple’sNot completely blocked yet. Before, you could add money to your balance through the Apple Store, for example. Would seem that now they need to go through the web site. SHANGHAI — One of the last foreign-run tools for online communication in China appears to be in trouble with the authorities there. For almost a month, Skype, the internet phone call and messaging service, has been unavailable on a number of sites where apps are downloaded in China, including Apple’s app store in the country. The removal led to a volley of complaints from Chinese users on internet message boards who were no longer able to pay for Skype’s services through Apple. The users said that the disruption began in late October. Skype, which is owned by Microsoft, still functions in China, and its fate in the country is not yet clear. But its removal from the app stores is the most recent example of a decades-long push by China’s government to control and monitor the flow of information online. Anyway, once it returns, you have to wonder what Microsoft had to do to make it compliant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy W Posted November 21, 2017 Report Share Posted November 21, 2017 Skype Vanishes From App Stores in China, Including Apple’sNot completely blocked yet. Before, you could add money to your balance through the Apple Store, for example. Would seem that now they need to go through the web site. SHANGHAI — One of the last foreign-run tools for online communication in China appears to be in trouble with the authorities there. For almost a month, Skype, the internet phone call and messaging service, has been unavailable on a number of sites where apps are downloaded in China, including Apple’s app store in the country. The removal led to a volley of complaints from Chinese users on internet message boards who were no longer able to pay for Skype’s services through Apple. The users said that the disruption began in late October. Skype, which is owned by Microsoft, still functions in China, and its fate in the country is not yet clear. But its removal from the app stores is the most recent example of a decades-long push by China’s government to control and monitor the flow of information online. Anyway, once it returns, you have to wonder what Microsoft had to do to make it compliant. Seems like it's time for Apple to reconsider their business model, and either relocate their app store, or allow downloads from alternate (Apple) sites. Too much self-censorship can be VERY bad for business. Skype allows payment through their web site - that shouldn't be a problem It seems to work, with or without a VPN. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg.D. Posted November 21, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2017 It's also removed from Xiaomi and Huawei app stores. Which means the app has to be re-written with a CCP-available back door (like it originally was) before it can resurface. People might choose to keep their last version installed on their device until MS is forced to block it. We have USA store originating wechat and Skype app's here at home in Denver. Would be surprised if Apple was allowing party-controlled backdoors through their approval process here, but would love to know about that if anybody knows. p.s. Apple will never allow downloads from alternative (non-apple) sites, which is why the iOS apps are relatively clean. People can jail-break their phone and do whatever they want to it and that accounts for their phones getting hacked in Asia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy W Posted November 22, 2017 Report Share Posted November 22, 2017 It's also removed from Xiaomi and Huawei app stores. Which means the app has to be re-written with a CCP-available back door (like it originally was) before it can resurface. People might choose to keep their last version installed on their device until MS is forced to block it. We have USA store originating wechat and Skype app's here at home in Denver. Would be surprised if Apple was allowing party-controlled backdoors through their approval process here, but would love to know about that if anybody knows. p.s. Apple will never allow downloads from alternative (non-apple) sites, which is why the iOS apps are relatively clean. People can jail-break their phone and do whatever they want to it and that accounts for their phones getting hacked in Asia. Apple tells you how to do it here - https://support.apple.com/en-hk/HT201389- access Apple stores in other countries. I think it's time for them to back their app stores out of China entirely, with whatever support is needed for their phone sales. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnoblett Posted November 22, 2017 Report Share Posted November 22, 2017 Dropping a link for you all in China to try. Skype for iPhone by Skype Communications S.a.r.l https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/skype-for-iphone/id304878510?mt=8 Skype for iPad by Skype Communications S.a.r.l https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/skype-for-ipad/id442012681?mt=8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy W Posted November 22, 2017 Report Share Posted November 22, 2017 (edited) Dropping a link for you all in China to try. Skype for iPhone by Skype Communications S.a.r.l https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/skype-for-iphone/id304878510?mt=8 Skype for iPad by Skype Communications S.a.r.l https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/skype-for-ipad/id442012681?mt=8 In China, that would be . . . https://itunes.apple.com/cn/app/skype-for-iphone/id304878510?mt=8, although it might have a different ID Remember that Apple restricts you to your registered country This seems to be just the regular Skype app, which has been removed from the China store Edited November 22, 2017 by Randy W (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnoblett Posted November 22, 2017 Report Share Posted November 22, 2017 That's magazine reported too. https://www.thatsmags.com/shanghai/post/21468/skype-disappears-from-chinese-app-stores Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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