Apple boss Tim Cook

Apple defends complying with China over VPNs

Virtual Private Networks are often used to skirt censorship and surveillance in countries with tight restrictions on internet use.

The company has been heavily criticised for removing several VPN apps, and was accused of “aiding Chinese censorship efforts”.

Apple said it disagreed with China’s position but had to comply with the country’s laws.

"We would obviously rather not remove the apps,” Apple chief executive Tim Cook said on Tuesday.

"But like we do in other countries we follow the law wherever we do business.