Tim Cook says Apple followed Chinese law in removing VPN apps from App Store
Responding to criticism surrounding Apple's recent removal of VPN apps from the Chinese iOS App Store, CEO Tim Cook on Tuesday said the company was simply following new government regulations, as it would for any country in which it operates.
Speaking to investment analysts in an earnings conference call, Cook said the Chinese government began clamping down on virtual private network apps and related services in 2015. The laws essentially require VPN operators to obtain a license, Cook said.
Renewed efforts to enforce existing policy prompted scrutiny and the ultimate removal of certain apps in the App Store. Though Cook did not elaborate on the matter, it can be assumed a bulk of the culled apps were marketed by developers who lacked proper licensing.
Apple took an unknown number of VPN apps down from the App Store over the weekend.
"We would obviously rather not remove the apps, but like we do in other countries we follow the law wherever we do business," Cook said. "And we strongly believe that participating in markets and bringing benefits to customers is in the best interest of the folks there and in other countries as well. So we believe in engaging with governments even when we disagree."
He added that hundreds of VPN apps are still available to Chinese users, including those developed and marketed by app makers residing outside of China.
Apple has in the past been an outspoken proponent of free speech and the company is notoriously protective over threats to the App Store, an integral part of the iOS experience.
"In this particular case, commenting on this one, we're hopeful that over time the restrictions we're seeing are loosened, because innovation really requires freedom to collaborate and communicate, and I know that that is a major focus there," he said.
Cook maintains that Apple conducts itself according to local laws, getting ahead of speculation that the company is kowtowing to the Asian country. As for arguments that Apple did the opposite in fighting U.S. law enforcement agency requests to access an iPhone linked to last year's San Bernardino terror attack, Cook said the situation was "very different."
"The law in the U.S. supported us, it was very clear. In the case of China, the law is also very clear there," Cook said. "Like we would if the U.S. changed the law here, we have to abide by them in both cases. That doesn't mean we don't state our point of view in the appropriate way, we always do that."
Speaking to investment analysts in an earnings conference call, Cook said the Chinese government began clamping down on virtual private network apps and related services in 2015. The laws essentially require VPN operators to obtain a license, Cook said.
Renewed efforts to enforce existing policy prompted scrutiny and the ultimate removal of certain apps in the App Store. Though Cook did not elaborate on the matter, it can be assumed a bulk of the culled apps were marketed by developers who lacked proper licensing.
Apple took an unknown number of VPN apps down from the App Store over the weekend.
"We would obviously rather not remove the apps, but like we do in other countries we follow the law wherever we do business," Cook said. "And we strongly believe that participating in markets and bringing benefits to customers is in the best interest of the folks there and in other countries as well. So we believe in engaging with governments even when we disagree."
He added that hundreds of VPN apps are still available to Chinese users, including those developed and marketed by app makers residing outside of China.
Apple has in the past been an outspoken proponent of free speech and the company is notoriously protective over threats to the App Store, an integral part of the iOS experience.
"In this particular case, commenting on this one, we're hopeful that over time the restrictions we're seeing are loosened, because innovation really requires freedom to collaborate and communicate, and I know that that is a major focus there," he said.
Cook maintains that Apple conducts itself according to local laws, getting ahead of speculation that the company is kowtowing to the Asian country. As for arguments that Apple did the opposite in fighting U.S. law enforcement agency requests to access an iPhone linked to last year's San Bernardino terror attack, Cook said the situation was "very different."
"The law in the U.S. supported us, it was very clear. In the case of China, the law is also very clear there," Cook said. "Like we would if the U.S. changed the law here, we have to abide by them in both cases. That doesn't mean we don't state our point of view in the appropriate way, we always do that."
Comments
You can be as certain as you want to be, that doesn't make it true. So any iPhone not using a VPN has no security? 99.99% of people don't use one and have no need. Doesn't mean their devices are less secure. There's not a shred of evidence that Apple is "selling out" to the NSA. Not a shred. And if they were, and word got out, it would be a PR disaster of epic proportions, especially considering Apple's stance on encryption. What would motivate them to do so?
I swear some of you are so hyperbolic, and make such facile, irrational arguments, that I have no idea if you're even serious or not.
Only reason Mr Cook, has given in is because China as a market has far greater profit implications than the loss of a few apps from the app store. I wonder though how he will make the decision on what Gov't regulations he should or shouldn't follow, As an example, the Australian Gov't's current legislation which permits requests to access encrypted data, or what happens if the Australian Consumer Commission decides to allow banks access to iphone internal systems and software to set up their own payment systems. Will he agree to this, or would he simply pull the services and products from the countries he disagrees with should their market not be sufficiently large enough to worry apple should it be lost?
China making unlicensed VPN apps illegal, is not the same as forcing Apple to build a decryption back door. I know this might be very difficult to understand but there're plenty of VPN apps available in China. For all you conspiracy idiots out there, Apple caving to the NSA without a Cold War style stand off is just plain stupid. Please go wrap your house in foil and unplug your phones, just don't breed.
A market exodus provides no partnerships or influence for the future. If the Chinesese wanted a free internet they would demand it, or move out. We must not be so egocentric as to push our beliefs on every government or culture. So many children and trolls on the internet these days.
That being said, Merica!
Yes, Chicom is pure evil, there is no question about it. But Apple is not a nonprofit, they have to do business.
In your opinion, Apple must move all their factory to Murcia. Then everyone need to buy their iPhone/MacBook/Mac Pro with extra 30%.
How can people be so dense? Apple is following the law where it operates.
If some people cannot see the difference between complying with the law and objecting to invasion of privacy based on the whims of some organisation, they are even more blind than the fanboys they claim us to be.
Exactly. In China, there is no recourse to following the law now. They might be able to use the courts to eventually overturn or modify the law (however unlikely that seems to me), but they don't have the option of not complying with it.
In the U.S., it's entirely legal to challenge what one considers an unjust or illegal law, and quite common to request, and receive, a temporary reprieve from enforcement. In China, not so much.
To wait until that undefined time to do business with these countries is insane. Almost quite literally insane. Especially when they are *already* manufacturing goods for the world, which, in fact, actually helps them travel the road to greater rights and freedoms for their population. This is how countries "open up" - through international trade and cooperation.
So the "free world" has to pick its battles. As does Tim Cook. It's not just about giving China a pass because business is business, but rather, acknowledging that expectations must be realistic. Tim Cook knows this and fights his battles (those "politics and strong views") where society and government *are capable of living up to them* - that is, where the deed can and should reflect the creed.
https://daringfireball.net/2017/07/apple_china_vpn_apps
You see Google Pulled out of China and what has that gotten them? NOTHING! Has it changed anything? No!!! Other then the fact that Forked versions of Android phones are everywhere. Virus infested App stores are all over China. Google has ZERO control of anything. China has their own popular search engine, Baidu is #1, followed by Sogou and in 3rd QiHoo 360.
When you pull out, you have no voice at all.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-07-10/china-is-said-to-order-carriers-to-bar-personal-vpns-by-february
As he stated, all this does is hurt iDevice sales in China because the on VPN service apps allowed on the Chinese App Store will be approved by the Chinese gov't., and not everyone will want to go through the extra hurdles of buying iOS apps from a different country's App Store.