China's version of Tinder, called the Tantan app, has now been suspended as the country cracks down on what it considers to be inappropriate content on the internet. The popular Tinder-like dating app has reportedly been removed from multiple app stores from different mobile operating systems following the government clean up.
According to the app's parent company, Momo, the suspension was apparently due to an order given by "governmental authorities in China." The company did not elaborate further on why its app was specifically targeted by the cleanup nor did it specify if the app would be eventually restored.
The app is currently not available to download from the app stores of various operating systems, including Google Android, but it is still apparently available on Apple's online App Store in China.
Similar to how popular Tinder has become in western countries, Tantan has become the go-to app for single Chinese residents.
The app currently boasts over 90 million registered users with over six million of those users logging in every day. Being removed from mobile app stores places a big dent on Momo's bottom line, which is why it is reportedly now trying to negotiate its restoration.
The NASDAQ-listed company recently released a statement that mentioned its current attempts to communicate with the country's government to restore the app at the soonest possible time.
The firm also stated that it will be launching its own probe into its app's current content to make sure that it complies with all relevant Chinese laws.
Unlike Tinder, Momo's Tantan app has gradually adopted a number of features more popularly seen in other social media applications. The popular location-based dating app has so far added features such as live streaming and other social media functions.
Momo itself was a separate app, but the company had acquired Tantan in February of last year, which it purchased for US$760 million.
Under Chinese President Xi Jinping's administration, China has continued its campaign to clean up content in the country's internet. The campaign has already killed dozens of apps since it was launched.
The country's recently shut down nine messaging apps, which were alleged to have peddled pornographic content online. The nine apps included popular messaging platforms such as Liaoliao, Metalk, and Inbilin.
According to the Cyberspace Administration of China, these types of apps are apparently a "threat to public security," as they promote the spread of illegal information and facilitate illegal activities.
The other apps that were recently shut down apparently contained content the government deemed unsuitable. This includes content such as gambling, fake news, political sabotage, prostitution, and pornography.
