Apple—Removed 53 VPN apps from Hong Kong App Store between 2020-2022 following National Security Law implementation
Between 2020 and 2022, Apple removed at least 53 VPN applications from the Hong Kong App Store, following China's implementation of the National Security Law in Hong Kong in June 2020. VPN apps allow users to circumvent government censorship and surveillance. Apple cited compliance with local law, but the removals prevent Hong Kong residents from accessing uncensored internet and protecting their privacy from state surveillance. Apps remained available in other regions.
Scoring Impact
| Topic | Direction | Relevance | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Authoritarian Compliance | +toward | primary | -1.00 |
| Open Internet & Web Freedom | -against | primary | -1.00 |
| User Privacy | -against | primary | -1.00 |
| Overall incident score = | -0.214 | ||
Score = avg(topic contributions) × significance (high ×1.5) × confidence (0.57)× agency (compelled ×0.25)
Evidence (1 signal)
AppleCensorship report documented 53 VPN apps unavailable in Hong Kong App Store since National Security Law
December 2022 AppleCensorship report 'Apps at Risk' documented 53 VPN applications unavailable in Apple's Hong Kong App Store following Beijing's imposition of National Security Law in June 2020. Report found 2,370 apps (16% of 14,782 tested) unavailable in Hong Kong App Store - only Russia and China had more unavailable apps. VPNs can circumvent censorship and enhance privacy.