The New York Times app was apparently removed from the App Store in China. While it is an ever-reliable source of news to many in different parts of the world, it was reported that a certain violation triggered the omission of the said informative app.

For some time now, the New York Times app has not been permitted to display content to most users in China and that the app is in violation of local regulations. "When this situation changes, the App Store will once again offer the New York Times app for download in China," Fred Sainz, the spokesperson of Apple explained as per the New York Times site.

It was for this reason that The New York Times spokesperson Eileen Murphy requested that Apple think its decision through. She said that the Chinese authorities requested the removal of the app as it is part of the protocol to prohibit readers within the Chinese territories from acquiring independent news coverage.

A recent report noted that the app was removed in December 23 under the ruling Communist Party's Provisions on the Administration of Mobile Internet Application Information Services. It stated that the app is not to publish what is labelled as "prohibited" information. There are some oddities surrounding the claim, however, like not naming what these banned information are.

The regulations that the app allegedly violated are still unclear. It is also questionable how they were done, and if Apple was then presented with a court order, as well.

Tim Cook, Apple chief executive, defended that the company adheres to the local laws, wherever they may be operating. On the other hand, Farzana Aslam, the associate director of the Center for Comparative and Public Law at the University of Hong Kong, said that there are more matters to consider, instead of just surrendering to the will of the jurisdiction where the company functions. For now, a final verdict is yet to be revealed.