Amazon has removed Quran and Bible applications from the Apple Store in China as the country continues to clamp down on internet companies.

Amazon took down the applications at the request of the Chinese government, said Voice of America.

U.S. religious software Olive Tree Bible Software explained that Amazon removed their application at the Chinese government’s request.

The development is part of China’s stringent regulatory requirements for internet companies in the country.

Chinese authorities have faced criticisms for various unconventional practices, ranging from political repression, censorship, and mass surveillance of citizens.

On Thursday, tech giant Microsoft announced that it would close down operations of LinkedIn in China later this year.

The U.S. tech company said it took its decision in the wake of stringent regulatory requirements imposed on the professional networking site by Chinese regulators.

Microsoft said it faced a “significantly more challenging operating environment and greater compliance requirements.”

In June, reports tied the misfortune of Jack Ma’s business empire to actions and policies of the Chinese government.

Mr Ma, the co-founder of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, had since 2020 been in the middle of the Chinese government’s clampdown that targeted his e-commerce company and its affiliate Ant group.

Forbes, in a report, detailed that Mr Ma business empire’s current worth was half what it was nine months ago after the Chinese government took over some of his assets and introduced unfavourable policies and fines.