Apple and China: How Censorship Affects Tech Companies
China has long been known for its strict censorship system, which has a significant impact on the activities of Western tech companies. One of the latest news is Apple's decision to remove VPN apps from the Chinese App Store. This is not an isolated incident, and Apple is far from the first company to have to make compromises to gain access to the vast Chinese market. This report examines how Western companies are adapting to China's demands and the implications for internet freedom.
The Impact of Chinese Censorship on Big Tech Companies and Their Compromises for Market Access
American companies often make major concessions to gain a foothold in China. This is true not only for Apple, but also for other major tech giants like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft.
Prominent examples of cooperation with the Chinese government:
- Yahoo (2005): The company provided data to the Chinese government that led to the conviction of journalist Shi Tao for 10 years for revealing state secrets.
- Microsoft (2005): Shutting down the blog of a Chinese activist supporting free speech.
- Google (2006): Agreeing to filter search results in China.
- Cisco (2006): The company provided equipment to strengthen Chinese internet censorship.
Apple has a history of giving in to pressure from the Chinese government. Before recently removing VPN apps from the App Store, the company also removed The New York Times apps in response to censors' demands. Tim Cook, Apple's CEO, has explained that the company is obliged to follow the laws of the countries where it does business, despite international backlash.
The same trend can be seen on social media. LinkedIn, since its launch in China, has faced severe restrictions on free speech. Users posting politically sensitive content have been notified that their posts are not available in China. LinkedIn's example shows that even when companies are targeting business contacts, they cannot avoid political conflicts.
Despite Western companies' willingness to make concessions, success in the Chinese market is far from guaranteed. Chinese companies such as Huawei and WeChat have long dominated their country. Uber, for example, was forced to sell its assets to Chinese company Didi Chuxing after failing to compete in the market.
VPN Blocking: Restricting Access to Information
VPN apps have long played a key role for users trying to circumvent China's internet censorship, known as the "Great Firewall." This digital barrier restricts access to foreign websites, news, and social media sites like Google, Facebook, and Twitter, as well as any content deemed politically or socially sensitive by the Chinese government. VPNs helped users hide their location and access blocked resources by encrypting their internet traffic and bypassing the firewall.
However, the removal of popular VPN apps from Apple's Chinese App Store in 2017 has not stopped all users from looking for alternative ways to circumvent censorship. Chinese users, especially the tech-savvy ones, have begun to look for lesser-known VPNs that are still available outside the App Store, or to use tools available on alternative platforms. Other methods, such as proxy services and special browsers, have also become more common.
Some users have begun to use more sophisticated tools to bypass restrictions, such as:
- Block circumvention technologies. Tools like Shadowsocks and V2Ray are more advanced methods that may be less vulnerable to blocking and detection by Chinese authorities. These protocols typically mask internet traffic, making it harder to detect.
- Using code words. Chinese users have also adapted to censorship at the language level by inventing new words or terms to refer to taboo topics, such as “64” instead of referring to the events of June 4, 1989 (Tiananmen).
- Setting up personal VPN servers. Instead of using commercial apps, some people choose to set up their own VPN servers outside of China, which gives them more control over their connection and reduces the risk of being blocked.
It is worth noting that blocking VPNs is just one measure to control the internet in China. The authorities use more sophisticated mechanisms, such as Deep Packet Inspection, to detect and block suspicious traffic. In addition, companies are required to cooperate with the government, which makes blocking information access even more effective.
Tech giants continue to seek to enter the Chinese market despite serious barriers such as censorship and strong local competition. Unfortunately, the compromises they make to gain access to the market often run counter to the ideals of free speech and information. Apple and other companies may continue to lose reputational points, but this is the path they have chosen to take to remain competitive in one of the world's largest markets.
Private VPN Server as a Solution
With China's increasing censorship and the removal of VPN apps, using a private VPN server is becoming a viable solution for those who want to maintain access to global information. A private VPN server allows you to set up a private and secure channel to bypass restrictions, making it especially useful for users in countries with strict internet restrictions, such as China.
Buying a private VPN server on Private VPN server is a convenient and cost-effective solution. In addition to choosing VPN services, on the site you will find detailed answers to frequently asked questions about VPN, as well as review materials that will help you better understand the versatility and capabilities of VPN technologies.