Security News > 2021 > March > ProtonVPN CEO Blasts Apple for ‘Aiding Tyrants’ in Myanmar

In a blog post filled with a passionate defense of human rights and internet privacy, Andy Yen, the CEO of secure internet provider ProtonVPN, blasted Apple for blocking its latest update and accused the tech juggernaut of helping the global spread of authoritarianism by "Giving in to tyrants."

In the days following a Feb. 1 military coup that seized control of the Myanmar government, signups for ProtonVPN encrypted internet services exploded by 250 times over the previous average daily rate, Yen said.

"In the same day the U.N. recommended Proton apps, Apple suddenly rejected important updates to our ProtonVPN iOS app," Yen wrote.

"Today, apps like ProtonVPN are a lifeline to the rest of the world for the people of Myanmar who are being massacred," Yen wrote.

"By preventing us from informing users that ProtonVPN can be used to bypass internet restrictions, Apple is making it harder for people to find this lifeline. Apple's decision will make it even more difficult for the citizens of Myanmar to send evidence of crimes against humanity to the United Nations."

"Apple's actions are also hypocritical. Apple has no problem challenging governments when it is in its own financial self-interest," Yen added.

News URL

https://threatpost.com/protonvpn-ceo-blasts-apple-myanmar/165022/