China crackdown on Apple store hits holy book apps, Audible

By MATT O’BRIEN
AP Technology Writer

Amazon’s audiobook service Audible and phone apps for reading the holy books of Islam and Christianity have disappeared from the Apple store in mainland China. The steps are the latest examples of the impact of China’s tightened rules for internet firms. Audible said Friday that it removed its app from the Apple store in mainland China last month due to what it described as permit requirements. The makers of apps for reading and listening to the Quran and Bible say their apps have also been removed from Apple’s China-based store at the government’s request. Apple didn’t immediately return requests for comment Friday.