Apple Pull VPNs From Chinese App Store

Computer giants Apple have removed a number of VPN applications from their Chinese App Store.

The number of VPNs thought to have been pulled is around 60.

The company have been criticised by the creators of several of the VPN applications but Apple say they had no choice in the matter.

It is believed that the VPN applications did not comply with Chinese regulations and that the removal of the apps was at the request of the Chinese government.

Apple also confirmed that a number of VPN apps were still available in China.

The VPN apps permit users to hide their online identity by funnelling internet activity through another computer, often held in another country. Users can hide their IP address and as a result access online material that otherwise may not be available in the country they are browsing from.

Often users will utilise VPNs to access TV or media which may not be licensed in the likes of China or it could be to access content that has been blocked by the internet provider.

In the case of China, they are well known for censoring web content that they deem politically incorrect or unsuitable for viewing. The country is regarded as "the worst abuser of internet freedom" but there are many nations who are worse than the Chinese for blocking content.

Despite their ability to get around internet censorship or blocked content, VPNs are generally not illegal.

Source: BBC News