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Apple Removes Gay Dating Apps Blued and Finka from Chinese iOS Store Following Government Order

Apple has confirmed the removal of two popular gay dating apps, Blued and Finka, from its Chinese iOS store after receiving orders from China’s internet regulator, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC). The Cupertino-based tech giant took down the apps over the past weekend, citing compliance with local laws.

“Based on an order from the Cyberspace Administration of China, we have removed these two apps from the China storefront only,” Apple stated in a message to CNBC.

A “lite” version of the Blued app remains available for download on the China App Store as of Tuesday. It’s important to note that both apps were already unavailable in other countries prior to this removal.

China’s Growing Control Over Digital Platforms

This removal reflects China’s expanding restrictions on digital content and app stores. In 2022, the U.S.-based gay dating app Grindr was pulled from the Chinese iOS store during a similar crackdown on content deemed illegal or inappropriate by Chinese authorities.

In 2023, Beijing introduced new policies mandating that all apps serving Chinese users must register with the government and obtain licenses. This regulatory shift led to a wave of foreign apps being removed from the iOS store across China.

Earlier in April 2024, Apple also removed Meta’s WhatsApp and Threads from its Chinese store following orders from the CAC, which cited national security concerns.

China is Apple’s largest overseas market outside the United States, and these removals highlight increasing government restrictions on LGBTQ content. The Chinese government has shut down major LGBTQ advocacy groups in recent years, including the Beijing LGBT Center. While homosexuality was decriminalized in China in 1997, same-sex marriage remains unrecognized.

Apple’s Recent Stock Performance

Despite these regulatory challenges, Apple’s stock has continued its upward momentum following strong Q4 earnings. The company reported better-than-expected demand for its iPhone 17 series and set record revenue in its Services segment.

Apple’s stock currently trades at a price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of 40.4, supported by 6.0% revenue growth over the past twelve months. The company maintains a strong free cash flow margin of 23.5% and an operating margin of 31.9%.

Investors are closely watching Apple’s AI initiatives, particularly the “Apple Intelligence” program and its privacy-focused on-device AI capabilities. Additionally, India is projected to become Apple’s third-largest market by 2026, with an anticipated production value of $28 billion for the fiscal year 2026.

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https://coincentral.com/apple-aapl-stock-gay-dating-apps-removed-from-chinese-store-on-government-orders/

Humana Reports $195 Million in Q3 Profits as Medical Cost Trends Stabilize

Humana reported $195 million in third-quarter profits on Wednesday, with the health insurer’s medical cost trends aligning with previous company forecasts. Like its industry peers, Humana has faced increased costs, particularly within its Medicare Advantage plans—a substantial component of the company’s business.

Medicare Advantage plans are government-contracted and offer seniors additional benefits and services, such as disease management, nurse helplines, vision, dental care, and wellness programs. To improve performance, Humana exited certain “unprofitable” plans and counties during the quarter.

“Our 3Q25 insurance segment benefit ratio of 91.1% is in line with our guidance of ‘just above 91%,’” Humana stated in prepared management remarks released alongside its earnings report. The benefit expense ratio, which is the percentage of premium revenue allocated toward medical costs, was 91.1% compared to 89.9% in the same quarter last year.

Despite the elevated expense ratio, Humana’s net income dropped to $195 million, or $1.62 per share, down from $480 million, or $3.98 per share, a year ago. However, revenue increased to $32.6 billion, up from $29.4 billion in the prior-year period.

Humana attributed some stability to less volatile industry cost trends over the past year, reaffirming its full-year 2025 adjusted earnings per share outlook of “approximately $17.00” and maintaining insurance segment benefit ratio guidance of 90.1% to 90.5%. This outlook, Humana noted, is “supported by solid execution and results.”

The company also reported improvements in its Medicare Advantage enrollment, reaching over 5.2 million individual enrollees by the end of the third quarter. “We now anticipate a FY 2025 decline of approximately 425,000 Individual Medicare Advantage (MA) members, improved from our previous expectation of a loss of up to 500,000, driven by stronger retention and better-than-expected sales,” the company said.

Meanwhile, Humana’s CenterWell healthcare services business continues to expand, reporting growth of 56,600 patients, or nearly 15%. “CenterWell Pharmacy continues to drive strong growth across payor-agnostic offerings, with increased Specialty volumes and strong Direct-to-Consumer growth, both exceeding previous expectations in 3Q25,” the company said.

Looking forward, Humana executives expressed confidence in the company’s strategy and outlook. “Our strategy of putting the consumer at the heart of everything we do is working, with solid year-to-date performance and strong momentum heading into the Annual Election Period,” said President and CEO Jim Rechtin. “We feel positive about the direction we’re headed and the value we are creating for our members, patients, and investors.”
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/finance/humana-reports-195-million-profit-as-costs-land-within-expectations/

Tag: better-than-expected

Apple (AAPL) Stock: Gay Dating Apps Removed From Chinese Store on Government Orders

Humana Reports $195 Million Profit As Costs Land Within Expectations