Apple has reportedly said that it will remove the virtual private network (VPN) services from its app store in China which help Internet users evade censorship. As a response, the VPN service providers accuse the US tech giant company of bowing to the pressure from China's cyber regulators.
VPN is reported to allow users to bypass China's "Great Firewall", which restricts other Internet users from using overseas sites.
In January, Beijing submitted laws seeking to ban VPNs, which are not approved by the state. Those approved VPNs are obliged to use the state network infrastructure.
In a statement released by Apple on Sunday, July 30, a spokesperson confirmed that they will remove apps which do not comply with the law from China App Store.
"We have been required to remove some VPN apps in China that do not meet the new regulations," the company said. "These apps remain available in all other markets where they do business."
ExpressVPN, a VPN company posted a letter saying its app has been taken down for putting illegal content in China.
"We're disappointed in this development, as it represents the most drastic measure the Chinese government has taken to block the use of VPNs to date, and we are troubled to see Apple aiding China's censorship efforts," ExpressVPN said in a statement.
VyprVPN had been taken down as well. Sunday Yohubaitis, the president of the company who owns the software, expressed his disappointment.
"We gladly filed an amicus brief in support of Apple in their backdoor encryption battle with the FBI," he said, "so we are extremely disappointed that Apple has bowed to pressure from China to remove VPN apps without citing any Chinese law or regulation that makes VPN illegal."
"We view access to Internet in China as a human rights issue, and I would expect Apple to value human rights over profits," he added.
