We feel every corporation has a responsibility to protect basic human rights wherever they are under threat. While human rights are a core part of Apple’s values, Yen believes ProtonVPN’s recent App Store update being blocked is contrary to Apple upholding those beliefs. Yen opened the letter by highlighting that ProtonMail and ProtonVPN were built on the idea of providing users around the world with a way “to securely and privately communicate, express themselves, and overcome internet blocks.” (via MacRumors) It is telling that Apple’s response does not address this policy at all. We believe that Apple’s policy of rejecting apps which are “challenging governments” is simply wrong. We were forced to censor our app description to get approval from Apple to update our app. Update 3/25 6:20 am PT: Proton has shared a response to Apple’s statement:Īpple has systematically blocked updates that outline that ProtonVPN can be used to overcome internet blocks used by regimes engaging in human rights abuses. Following this approval, Proton chose to time the release of their update, making it available on March 21st, while subsequently publishing their blog post on March 23rd. We approved the most recent version of ProtonVPN on March 19.

Update 3/24 6:00 pm PT: We’ve got a statement from Apple on the matter, and it sounds like Proton has made more of this than what it actually was including choosing to delay the approved update by two days.Īll apps made by Proton, including ProtonVPN, have remained available for download in Myanmar. Proton Technologies founder Andy Yen has written an open letter today that claims Apple is standing “in the way of human rights.” The core issue is Apple not approving a ProtonVPN iOS app update that comes amid the turmoil in Myanmar.

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