Apple has begun geoblocking certain Chinese applications, including those from ByteDance, from being downloaded by users in the United States. This move follows Apple's development of sophisticated location-identifying mechanisms.
Observers suggest this strategy is a response to the EU's Digital Markets Act, which compelled Apple to allow third-party app downloads in the EU but restricted them to EU territories. Apple's policy indicates that eligibility for region-specific apps is withdrawn if an EU resident leaves the region for over 90 days.
While the precise method of geoblocking is not fully detailed, Apple's App Store terms now state they may use IP addresses to approximate user location and determine app availability based on regional legal restrictions. This specific clause was reportedly added in late January 2025, shortly after ByteDance apps were initially removed from the US App Store. Experts note this trend could limit user liberty in regions where access to certain apps is restricted and more advanced blocking methods are employed.