This Google app isn't banned in China -- and it has plenty of users
Google Translate grows in a country where most other Google services are still banned
Google pulled its search engine from mainland China in 2010 after fears over censorship. Since then, services like Gmail and YouTube have been blocked by Chinese authorities.
But last March, one app made a quiet comeback -- and it’s been quickly gaining ground, according to a new report.
Translation mistakes embarrass Tencent at high-profile meeting
And there’s another breakout Google product you might not expect: Snapseed. The photo editing app reportedly had around 1.68 million App Store downloads in China last quarter.
While apps like Google Photos and Google Cloud need access to Google’s servers to run, Snapseed’s editing tools can function offline. That means it can be used without bypassing China’s firewall. On the Chinese microblog Weibo, Snapseed users are often seen sharing photos and tutorials.
The world’s hottest iOS app is from China (and it’s not WeChat)
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For more insights into China tech, sign up for our tech newsletters, subscribe to our Inside China Tech podcast, and download the comprehensive 2019 China Internet Report. Also roam China Tech City, an award-winning interactive digital map at our sister site Abacus.