Earlier this week, popular VPN provider Proton made headlines by linking Apple’s denial of a security update to its ProtonVPN mobile app with the ongoing political upheaval in Myanmar. In response, Apple today issued MacRumors with a timeline of the app update events.
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In a blog post dated March 23, Proton founder Andy Yen wrote that Apple had denied “significant updates” for its security-related VPN app, on the same day the UN recommended that people in Myanmar using ProtonMail, an encrypted email app also developed by Proton. The Yen said signs for ProtonVPN were “spinning to 250 times the previous daily average” in the days after the arms cup, making ProtonVPN an essential tool for people on the ground, and added on behalf of Apple for putting profits ahead of human rights by blocking. the update.
In order to provide such sensitive information to UN investigators and to ensure that blowers are not attacked or killed, the UN recommended that people use ProtonMail or Signal to provide evidence of wrongdoing.
ProtonMail is not the only Proton app used by activists and campaigners in Myanmar. The people of Myanmar have also turned to ProtonVPN to get around these internet blocks, search for inaccurate news to stay safe, and report what was killed.
In the days immediately following the cup, the signs for ProtonVPN in Myanmar were spinning to 250 times the previous daily average.
In particular, Apple rejected the update because of an excerpt from the app’s description that encouraged users to “avoid geo-restrictions or content limitations.” Previously read Appon ProtonVPN Store Description:
Whether it’s challenging governments, educating the public, or training journalists, we have a long history of helping to bring online freedom to more people across the world. the world.
Proton said MacRumors earlier in the week the rejection came “completely blue” on March 17, as the app had always had the same description, with no issue or denial from Apple.
Now, Apple has supplied MacRumors with a more detailed and specific timeline of events. In a statement, Apple states that all apps made by Proton are available and are available for download in Myanmar, apparently denying the statement that Proton issued that he has deliberately held back the upgrade because of the situation on the ground.
Apple says it approved ProtonVPN’s latest App Store update on March 19 and rightly says that Proton released the update to users two days later, on 21 March. ProtonVPN, two more days later, published a blog post linking the rejection to Apple restricting free. speech and human rights in Myanmar.
- March 18 – Apple maintains an app update, requiring changes to the wording in the ProtonVPN app description
- March 19 – Apple-approved update after requesting wording change
- March 21 – Proton releases an update to users on the App Store
- March 23 – Proton publishes blog post, correcting refusal to update to political situation in Myanmar
Apple ‘s full statement to MacRumors:
All apps made by Proton, including ProtonVPN, are still available for download in Myanmar. We approved the latest version of ProtonVPN on March 19th. Following this license, Proton chose to set aside time for their update, make it available on March 21st, and then publish their blog post on March 23rd.
Proton founder Andy Yen said The edge as a result of the crisis in Myanmar, Proton decided to remove the section from the description of the app that Apple had been complaining about, which “finally” allowed the update to be released to users.
As a result of the crisis in Myanmar, we removed the language about challenging governments that Apple complained was inappropriate, and the app was finally approved.
Despite the clarification from Apple, what remains a matter of controversy for Proton is the abrupt implementation of the App Store guidelines. App Store rule 5.4 states that VPN apps do not have to “violate local laws,” and Apple saw ProtonVPN’s description as a violation of the rule, despite Proton’s claim that Apple had no issues with it at the time. gone.
It is not yet clear what prompted Apple to enforce this particular legal rule harder this time around, but it is certainly an unfortunate time for the company from a PR standpoint, given the current political climate. currently at Myanmar.
At the same time, Apple continues to push back against the notion that it abuses its position as a platform arbiter, as it opposes a number of surveillance investigations and issues. lawsuit against trusts made by developers dissatisfied with their App Store policies.
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