Apple has removed virtual private networking (VPN) apps from its China App Store apparently and the request of the Beijing government, handing a big boost to China's efforts to exert its control over the Internet.

It marks the first time China successfully pressured a major foreign tech platform to get rid of software that helped people go around Beijing's "Great Firewall" which severely restricts how its citizens can use the Internet.

Some customers in China reported being able to access VPN apps by accessing a different territory's App Store; those users need to have a billing address outside the country.  It's a safe bet most of Apple's customers in China do not.

ExpressVPN is one of the companies impacted by the development. 

"We're disappointed in this development, as it represents the most drastic measure the Chinese government has taken to block the use of VPNs to date, and we are troubled to see Apple aiding China's censorship efforts," the company said in a statement.  "ExpressVPN strongly condemns these measures, which threaten free speech and civil liberties."

GoldenFrog makes privacy and security software including VyprVPN; despite supporting Apple in its backdoor encryption battle with the FBI last year, the company also had its software unceremoniously dumped from the App store.

"We view access to internet in China as a human rights issue, and I would expect Apple to value human rights over profits," said GoldenFrog president Sunday Yokubaitis.