Zee Media Bureau
Roughly six months after their launch, Apple has finally decided to shut down the service of iTunes Movies and iBooks Store in China following pressure from Chinese government.
Citing two unidentified persons, the New York Times reported that the State government of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television demanded Apple to close down its services in the country.
China is known to maintain a stronghold on broadcast, print and online media and also restrics access of foreign media like Google, Facebook, and Twitter with its vast control network dubbed the Great Firewall of China. In 2014, the State broadcaster CCTV accused the US tech giant of threatening the national security of country by the iPhone's ability to track user's location, a threat Apple quickly denied.
The Apples's two services are strong competitors of Chinese firms, according to NYT reports. Many speculates that this move might be taken by Chinese government in order to support domestic companies.
Greater China including Hong Kong and Taiwan is the largest market for Apple in terms of growth and second largest market in terms of revenue. Many economists thinks that China's tough line on foreign tech companies like Apple could have negative consequences on Chines economy.
(With inputs from NYT)
