VPN App Claims Apple Intentionally Blocking App Store Updates Amid Internet Crackdown in Myanmar

[MacRumors]

ProtonVPN, a popular VPN choice for iOS users, claims that Apple is blocking "important updates" to its iOS app following a United Nations recommendation for the app to be used amid an internet crackdown in Myanmar.

In a blog post today, the app says that Apple is blocking updates for the app due to an excerpt from the app's description. In the App Store, ProtonVPN says:

Whether it is challenging governments, educating the public, or training journalists, we have a long history of helping bring online freedom to more people around the world.

In an email to the developers, Apple says that the app needs to revise the description to exclude any action that "encourages users to bypass geo-restrictions or content limitations." App Store rule 5.4, which outlines policies for VPN apps on the platform, says that all apps must "not violate local laws," and ProtonVPN makes the connection to the current ongoing situation in Myanmar, in which a military-led coup has shut down internet access for millions.

Email from Apple to ProtonVPN regarding update rejection​

On March 17, the United Nations advised people to document the ongoing situation as evidence for "crimes against humanity." The UN specifically recommended that users use ProtonMail and/or Signal to share the information. Proton says, however, that users have also turned to ProtonVPN.

ProtonMail is not the only Proton app being used by activists and protesters in Myanmar. For the past month, the Myanmar military has forced the national telecom companies to regularly shut down the internet and block access to social media to prevent damaging evidence from getting out.

The people of Myanmar have also turned to ProtonVPN to get around these internet blocks, seek accurate news to stay safe, and report on the killings. In the days immediately after the coup, the sign-ups for ProtonVPN in Myanmar spiked to 250 times the previous average daily rate.

On the same day the UN recommended Proton apps, Apple suddenly rejected important updates to our ProtonVPN iOS app. These updates include security enhancements designed to further improve safeguards against account takeover attempts which could compromise privacy.

Apple claims that one reason for rejection is the reference to "challenging governments" in its description. It's not clear when the app decided to add that excerpt, as the app has received plenty of app updates in the past without any rejections. It is plausible that the app added the description as part of a recent update, triggering Apple's rejection, which just so happens to line up with the situation in Myanmar.

We've reached out to Apple to clarify the situation and we'll update the article if we hear back.

Update: Proton has informed MacRumors that the excerpt in its app description on the App Store, which triggered Apple's rejection, has been in place "for months," without any prior issue. Proton says the rejection "came completely out of the blue."

Article Link: VPN App Claims Apple Intentionally Blocking App Store Updates Amid Internet Crackdown in Myanmar

 

[topgunn]

Seems like it would be a lot easier to remove two words from the app description than to raise public awareness and hope that Apple will cave. Better yet, remove the two offending words AND let everyone know why you did it. That way the people who need this vital tool can have it in their hands while we settle the politics.

 

[kennyt72]

Do Apple know what a military coup is?

 

[topgunn]

Do Apple know what a military coup is? How does this app challenge the government in Myanmar?

The problem is, this app is available globally and Apple, for better or worse, has agreed to abide by the laws of the countries in which it operates. Many authoritarian countries in which Apple does business wouldn't take kindly to an app Apple is hosting that has a stated purpose of challenging governments.

 

[gavroche]

I’ve already been very disappointed with Apples actions and statements about political issues here in the US. And while they talk like they care so much about civil rights and doing right, they most certainly turn a blind eye to China’s actions. Now this here is just more evidence of them picking sides. Here in the US, they were all for and supportive of protest on one side of the political spectrum, but surpressed opposing viewpoints, and apps used for communication. It’s getting harder for me to want to stay with them.

 

[kennyt72]

The problem is, this app is available globally and Apple, for better or worse, has agreed to abide by the laws of the countries in which it operates. Many authoritarian countries in which Apple does business wouldn't take kindly to an app Apple is hosting that has a stated purpose of challenging governments.

I realised that as soon as i posted hence the edit, It seems with Apples wording that they're once again bowing down to the Chinas of this world (they don't want to upset them), If a government does wrong it should rightly be challenged by the people of the country.

 

[centauratlas]

' reference to "challenging governments" '

I am disappointed if Apple truly means this because I guess when the CCP, or the US's FBI, NSA, CIA, or the European, African, Central/South/North Americas, Asia's governments etc want access to an iPhone's data, Apple will now happily comply. Apple must not "challenge governments". Oh no, that would be awful. Maybe they just need to build in a backdoor in order to make sure they don't "challenge governments". /sarcasm

And since when is "challenging governments" illegal?

Apple: encrypt everything using on device keys so you can't do it. Encourage people to use tools like VPNs when governments (China, Myanmar, Cuba) want to control people and when corporations (e.g. Facebook, Google, Twitter etc) want to track and monitor everyone. Stand for something.

Talk is cheap.

 

[himanshumodi]

Well, Apple's email itself says that they play an important role in challenging governments. So why do they have a problem with Proton having it in it's description?

 

[Johnny907]

Seems like it would be a lot easier to remove two words from the app description than to raise public awareness and hope that Apple will cave. Better yet, remove the two offending words AND let everyone know why you did it. That way the people who need this vital tool can have it in their hands while we settle the politics.

“Whether it is challenging governments, educating the public, or training journalists”

I’m sorry but what about any of that implies illegal activity, thus violating Apple’s terms? That app is going to do what it is going to do regardless of how it is described, so if Apple feels the usage of it would violate the law then they need to just deny it and all such VPN apps outright. Apple would never do that, however, as it would forever tarnish their “looking out for the little guy/we protect privacy and freedom” image.

Let’s not beat around the bush here, we know why Apple is doing this, and it’s wrong. There is going to be backlash, and they deserve every bit of it for trying to have it both ways: champion of digital freedom while simultaneously immune to legal action.

 

[topgunn]

Well, Apple's email itself says that they play an important role in challenging governments. So why do they have a problem with Proton having it in it's description?

They are quoting the app description for ProtonVPN which isn't obvious.

 

[1258186]

The military are not the legitimate government of Myanmar. They are murderers. Their laws should not be respected by anyone.

 

[whyamihere]

I have a feeling Apple will be reversing this decision in 3.. 2.. 1...

 

[bklement]

I don't like what Apple does, but neither do I proton's activism. They should decide whether they are an activist service who can support whatever they want, or a company with paid customers. I pay a substantial fee for a service with lots of free alternatives so my emails are secure and private, not to finance their political activism while risking paying customers' interests.

 

[neander]

They cant stomach "challenging governments".. thats too weak to even get Apple blocking it, must be something else.

 

[luvbug]

You need to be able to sit at the table to have a voice. Apple needs to sell its products into as many markets as possible so their *customer* has the opportunity to do whatever they choose with it (include jailbreaking). Proton needs to do the same. Stop with the rhetoric on human rights, just allow your product to reach as many as possible so *they* can do so, if they want. Supply the brush so the artist can paint their dream.

 

[centauratlas]

The military are not the legitimate government of Myanmar. They are murderers. Their laws should not be respected by anyone.

The problem is that then Apple would have to ignore the totalitarian, murdering government of China.

 

[macsareveryinteresting]

I think it’s more of VPN is not as safe as you think it is.

 

[macsareveryinteresting]

Do Apple know what a military coup is?

What’s a military coup?

 

[H00513R]

I don't like what Apple does, but neither do I proton's activism. They should decide whether they are an activist service who can support whatever they want, or a company with paid customers. I pay a substantial fee for a service with lots of free alternatives so my emails are secure and private, not to finance their political activism while risking paying customers' interests.

Why can't they do both? They said from the beginning:

In the years since we began as a crowdfunded project, ProtonMail and ProtonVPN continue to be primarily supported by our community and developed with community input. When it comes to fighting for online security and privacy, we have a long track record. Whether it is challenging governments, educating the public, or training journalists, we're committed to staying on the front lines.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

What’s a military coup?

It's where the military takes over the government by force. The official term is a Cpup D'etat if you want to search Duck Duck Go for it.

 

[nt5672]

I’ve already been very disappointed with Apples actions and statements about political issues here in the US. And while they talk like they care so much about civil rights and doing right, they most certainly turn a blind eye to China’s actions. Now this here is just more evidence of them picking sides. Here in the US, they were all for and supportive of protest on one side of the political spectrum, but surpressed opposing viewpoints, and apps used for communication. It’s getting harder for me to want to stay with them.

Yep, Freedom of Speech means both good and bad. You either support it or you do not. Apple has chosen.

 

[macsareveryinteresting]

It's where the military takes over the government by force. The official term is a Cpup D'etat if you want to search Duck Duck Go for it.

Oh

 

[BeefCake 15]

To all the Che Guevara's of MR:
This isn't about standing up to governments, it's the issue with bypassing geo restrictions that Netflix, YouTube and other similar apps that instill geoblocks. It becomes Apple's issue if they allow the wording.

 

[hans1972]

I realised that as soon as i posted hence the edit, It seems with Apples wording that they're once again bowing down to the Chinas of this world (they don't want to upset them), If a government does wrong it should rightly be challenged by the people of the country.

I agree, but ProtonVPN are Swiss AFAIK.

Should the Swiss with the help from an American company challenge governments around the world?

 

[filman408]

I have a feeling Apple will be reversing this decision in 3.. 2.. 1...

They already did. Long before this blog post was written. App was approved 2 days ago.
What’s the date on their rejection screenshot from the blog? Longer then 2 days ago.