Tim Cook 'optimistic' Chinese cyber regulators will allow pulled apps back on iPhone

Apple CEO Tim Cook expressed 'hope' that the communist Chinese government will allow Apple to reinstate certain apps to the tech giant's App Store on Wednesday. 

Earlier this year, Apple removed some messaging and VPM apps — which allow users to mask their IP address and access websites censored by the authoritative Chinese government — from the App store at the request of Chinese officials.  

The app ExpressVPM, or instance, received a notice from Apple in July stating that "your application will be removed from the China App Store because it contains content that is illegal in China...."