Why did Apple pull VPNs from its app store in China?

The creators of several Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have criticised Apple's decision to remove their products from its app store in China.

VPNs allow users to hide their IP addresses and access online material that might be blocked by internet filters. At least three were removed from the app store over the weekend.

Apple said it was legally required to remove the apps because they did not comply with new regulations.

Which VPNs have been affected?

ExpressVPN, VyprVPN, StarVPN each received notice from Apple on Saturday that their products would be removed from the app store.

Golden Frog, the company that distributes VyprVPN was critical of the decision, saying it would file an appeal with Apple.

"If Apple views accessibility as a human right, we would hope Apple will likewise recognize internet access as a human right (the UN has even ruled it as such) and would choose human rights over profits," said Golden Frog's president Sunday Yokubaitis in a blog post.

ExpressVPN said it was "dismayed" that the tech giant had "sided with censorship." The apps are still available in Apple's app stores outside China.