According to app tracking site Apple Censorship, nearly 100 VPN apps that are commonly available everywhere are not available in the Russian App Store.
In July, Apple reportedly removed 25 VPN apps at the request of the Russian government. The developers whose apps were kicked out of the App Store were informed by Apple at the time that Roskomnadzor, Russia’s federal agency that regulates mass media, had requested the removal. It was claimed that the removed apps violated Russian law.
Apple explained that apps must comply with local legal requirements and that it is the app maker’s responsibility to ensure that their apps do not circumvent legal requirements.
According to Apple Censorship analysis, the actual number of apps removed is much higher. Over 50 VPN apps are believed to have been removed by summer 2024, bringing the total number of inaccessible apps to 98.
Internet censorship has been tightened in Russia for more than a decade, and even more so since the war with Ukraine began in 2022. VPNs are not illegal in the country, but rules banning VPN advertising went into effect in March.
Norton Secure VPN, SurfEasy VPN, and Avast SecureLine VPN+ Proxy were removed before the war began in February 2022. Before VPN ads were banned, 17 VPN apps disappeared, including Nord VPN, Proton VPN, and Bitdefender VPN.
Several more apps were unavailable between May and July, including CyberGhost’s VPN and ExpressVPN. More than 30 apps have been delisted since July.
These removals make App Store Russia the second most restrictive Apple app market after China, where VPN apps are not available.
The report notes that some apps that are no longer found in the App Store may have been actively removed by Apple or voluntarily removed by their developers.
Apple has scaled back its operations in Russia in response to protests condemning the country’s actions in Ukraine, but many of its services remain available there. It’s possible that Apple was forced to follow Russia’s instructions, but both sides need to be transparent about Russia’s policies.This could encourage users who rely on VPN apps to start looking for alternative solutions. can.
Our research revealed a significant and sustained decline in the availability of VPN apps on Apple’s Russian App Store, far exceeding the official report of 25 removals. The findings highlight the imperative for transparency and accountability from both Roskomnadzor and Apple. Transparent disclosure of app removal policies and actions is essential to preserving digital rights and informing users of changes that affect access to secure communication tools.
Apple Censorship, September 2024
