Microsoft's Skype pulled from app stores in China

Beijing

SKYPE, Microsoft Corp's Internet phone call and messaging service, has disappeared from app stores in China including that of Apple Inc, indicating the latest setback for a foreign tech service in the country.

Apple, responding to questions about Skype's absence, late on Tuesday said it had removed several Internet phone call apps from its App Store in China after the country's government said they violated local laws.

"We have been notified by the Ministry of Public Security that a number of voice over Internet protocol apps do not comply with local law, therefore these apps have been removed from the App Store in China," an Apple spokeswoman said. "T…