“We are obligated to follow the laws in the countries where we operate, even when we disagree,” an Apple spokesperson told CNN on Friday. “The Cyberspace Administration of China ordered the removal of these apps from the China storefront based on their national security concerns. These apps remain available for download on all other storefronts where they appear.”

Both the apps, which are owned by META, are not widely used in China and they are blocked in the country at present.

They could be accessed in the country only by using virtual private networks (VPNs) that can encrypt internet traffic and disguise the user’s online identity, the American news channel reported.

The removal of the apps by Apple (AAPL) represents a “further distancing between already separated tech universes” in the country and beyond, Duncan Clark, chairman of Beijing-based investment advisory BDA China, told CNN.

“It will cause inconvenience to consumers and businesses (in China) who deal with family, friends or customers overseas. Even if they use VPNs to access their existing WhatsApp apps, these over time will become obsolete and require updating,” he said.