Technology
Apple Says ITunes Movies, Book Services Closed Down in China
Apple Inc.’s iTunes Movies and iBooks service were closed down in China last week, less than seven months after they started operations.
Apple wants to restore services “as soon as possible,” the company said in a one paragraph e-mailed statement without providing a timeframe. The closings were ordered by the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, the New York Times reported, citing unidentified people familiar with the matter.
In February, the regulator and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology released new rules governing publication of virtually all types of Internet content in China. The regulations took effect last month.
Apple was the third-largest smartphone vendor in the December quarter with 12.5 percent of shipments, according to researcher Canalys. That trailed Huawei Technologies Co. and Xiaomi Corp., who each had about 15 percent.
Last month, President Xi Jinping said China would accept foreign Internet companies as long as they abide by Chinese laws and regulations.
Bloomberg