Microsoft Working on Reinstatement of Skype App Following Removal From Chinese App Stores
Liao Shumin
DATE:  Nov 22 2017
/ SOURCE:  Yicai
Microsoft Working on Reinstatement of Skype App Following Removal From Chinese App Stores Microsoft Working on Reinstatement of Skype App Following Removal From Chinese App Stores

(Yicai Global) Nov. 22 -- Skype, Microsoft Corp.'s [MSFT:NASDAQ GS] online communication platform, has been removed from China's mainstream mobile app stores serving both Apple Inc.'s [AAPL:NASDAQ] iOS platform and Alphabet Inc.'s [NASDAQ:GOOG] Android operating systems, online media outlet The Paper reported today.

Users with the app already installed on their devices are unaffected by the development, while Skype's official website remains accessible in China.

"We have received notice that some applications do not comply with local law and therefore these apps have been removed from Apple's app store in China," said an Apple spokesperson in a press briefing today. "These apps remain available in all other markets where they do business."

A Microsoft spokesman said that Skype was temporarily removed from Apple's app store and they are working to reinstate the app as soon as possible.

The spokesman did not explain why Skype was also removed from other third-party Android app stores, including those of Xiaomi Technology Co. and Huawei Technologies Co.

Skype, founded in 2003, is a subsidiary of Microsoft and provides instant messaging, voice and video calls, most of which are free.

Skype was first introduced in China through a joint venture between Skype and TOM Online. After Microsoft's acquisition of Skype, it changed partner.

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Keywords:   Skype,App Store Removal