Those restrictions, which officially take effect August 15, demand that AI developers’ products “adhere to core socialist values” and prohibit content that questions state power. If the developers can’t control their generative progeny, the products will face censorship and possible shutdowns.
In a letter sent to developers shared on Twitter by native ChatGPT client OpenCat, Apple said it was removing the apps “because [they] include content that is illegal in China.” Many of the apps being removed appear to rely on OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which Apple said does not have a proper license or permit to operate in the country under the new guidelines. Popular Chinese AI apps like Spark, ChatGAi Plus, OpenCat, and ChatbotAI have all reportedly been removed as part of the government’s generative AI purge.
