Apple's Tim Cook says removal of VPN apps from Chinese App Store was unavoidable

Over the weekend, Apple started to remove an unknown number of VPN apps for iOS devices that were available for download via its Chinese App Store. Developers and VPN providers were notified via email that their apps would be removed from the App Store “because it includes content that is illegal in China.”

Today, Apple's CEO Tim Cook tried to respond to criticism related to the removal of these VPN apps from the Chinese App Store. According to him, the issue was unavoidable as Apple was merely following new government regulations.


Furthermore, Tim Cook confirmed that there are hundreds of VPN apps still available in China, which are developed by people outside the country and can be downloaded via local App Store.

Apple's CEO said he's hoping the new restrictions imposed by the Chinese government will loosen up in the future since “innovation really requires freedom to collaborate and communicate.”