NEWS

Reports: Apple's books, movies services shut down in China

Brett Molina
USA TODAY

Apple's iTunes services for books and movies have been reportedly shut down in China, six months after they were introduced in the country.

The company logo at the Apple store  in New York.

According to reports from The New York Times and Bloomberg, access to both iTunes outlets have been closed since last week. Apple says it's working to restore services "as soon as possible."

The New York Times reports a Chinese regulator demanded the services be cut off, although did not offer a reason for the shutdown.

China has become an important market for Apple, which has pushed several products and services including the iPhone and iPad and, most recently, its mobile payments service Apple Pay.

Apple is expected to report quarterly earnings on April 26.

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