Apple removed both English and Chinese versions of the NYT news app on 23 December, after Chinese officials informed the company that the apps violated local regulations. It is unclear what regulations exactly are in question, and whether Apple resisted the request, the New York Times reports.

This marks a new low in the rocky relationship between the Times and the Chinese government: in 2012, China started blocking the website of the Times, although the app users were still able to download new content until now.

In April, Apple shut down its e-books and music stores in China.

The Guardian points out that China is Apple’s third-largest market, and that Apple has made significant investments in the country.