Apple boss Tim Cook has defended his companyâs decision to comply with the Chinese governmentâs demand it remove VPN software from the App Store.
Virtual Private Networks are often used to skirt censorship and surveillance in countries with tight restrictions on internet use.
The company has been heavily criticised for removing several VPN apps, and was accused of âaiding Chinese censorship effortsâ.
Apple said it disagreed with Chinaâs position but had to comply with the countryâs laws.
âWe would obviously rather not remove the apps,â Apple chief executive Tim Cook said on Tuesday.
âBut like we do in other countries we follow the law wherever we do business.
Mr Cook said comparisons to a legal battle in the US last year â in which the firm refused to help the FBI unlock a dead terroristâs iPhone â were unfair.
âTheyâre very different,â he said.
âIn the case of the US, the law in the US supported us. I was very clear. In the case of China, the law is also very clear there. Like we would if the US changed the law here, weâd have to abide by them in both cases.â
Activists and indeed regular citizens in China have been finding ways to poke holes in the countryâs infamous Great Firewall of China which blocks âquestionableâ content and is heavily monitored.
To operate a VPN service in the country, companies must be authorised by the Chinese authorities.
Apple sales boosted by services growth
Those without permission, such as ExpressVPN, have been singled out for removal from Appleâs App Store.
âWeâre disappointed in this development, as it represents the most drastic measure the Chinese government has taken to block the use of VPNs to date,â said ExpressVPN in a blog post.
âWe are troubled to see Apple aiding Chinaâs censorship efforts. ExpressVPN strongly condemns these measures, which threaten free speech and civil liberties.â
Mr Cook said Apple stated its opposition to the removal through the âappropriateâ channels.
âWe believe in engaging with governments even when we disagree,â he said.
âIn this particular case, we are hopeful that over time the [restrictions] weâre seeing are loosened, because innovation requires freedom to collaborate and communicate.â
Mr Cookâs remarks were made during the firmâs quarterly earnings call. While the firm performed strongly in most of the world, it continues to struggle in China where revenues dropped 10% compared to this time last year.
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