The removal of these foreign platforms—which were already largely inaccessible in China—will make it more difficult for users to circumvent existing restrictions, such as by using VPNs.

S INGAPORE—Apple removed WhatsApp and Threads from its app store in China on Friday saying it was ordered to by the government, the latest example of censorship demands as China tightens internet controls. The iPhone maker said the company was told by China’s top internet regulator to remove the apps because of national security concerns.