It’s unclear how many of China’s more than 700 million Internet users have accessed a VPN, many of which are provided by companies overseas. But in January, China required VPN providers to register and obtain government approval in order to operate. It has pulled apps from its China app store that mention the Dalai Lama and ethnic Uighur activist Rebiya Kadeer. Apple also removed the New York Times app this year and disabled its news app in China in 2015. If they are, I will be the first to person to rake them over the coals.”For some Chinese Internet users, a complete ban on VPNs would be devastating.

Source: Los Angeles Times July 31, 2017 23:55 UTC