Apple is removing all Virtual Private Network (VPNs) from its App Store in China. The company sent notifications to developers in China explaining their VPN app was removed from the App Store. VPNs allow users to bypass China’s so-called “Great Firewall” aimed at restricting access to overseas sites.
Apple told the New York Times in a statement,
We have been required to remove some VPN apps in China that do not meet the new regulations. These apps remain available in all other markets where they do business.
Earlier in January, Beijing passed laws seeking to ban all VPNs that are not approved by state regulators following which Apple removed the New York Times app from the Chinese App Store as it was ‘in violation of local regulations’. VPN provider ExpressVPN received a notice from Apple that its software would be removed from the China App Store “because it includes content that is illegal in China”.
Apple said in a statement,
Earlier this year China’s MIIT announced that all developers offering VPNs must obtain a license from the government. We have been required to remove some VPN apps in China that do not meet the new regulations. These apps remain available in all other markets where they do business.