Apple Complies with Roskomnadzor: VPN Apps Removed from Russian App Store

Russian VPN Apps Removed by Apple

In a move that aligns with an official request from Russia's communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, Apple on July 4, 2024, eliminated a multitude of virtual private network (VPN) apps from the App Store in Russia, according to reporting from Russian news outlets. Notably, services from 25 VPN providers, such as NordVPN, ProtonVPN, Red Shield VPN, and Le VPN, were removed from the mobile apps. Further, NordVPN had already ceased operations of its Russian servers in March 2019.

Consequences and Commentary

The withdrawal evoked criticism from Red Shield VPN who indicated that Apple’s motivation to maintain earnings from the Russian sector actively endorses an autocratic regime. They denounced the move as not only thoughtless but also as a transgression against the civil society. Likewise, Le VPN cited the removal was implemented following No. 7 of Article 15.1 of the Federal Law No. 149-FZ "On Information, Information Technologies, and Information Protection" dated July 27, 2006. Their assertion revealed that the app pull-out occurred even prior to receiving an official notification from the government regulator. Consequently, these VPN services are now part of Russia's "Unified register" forbidding their public distribution.

Crackdown Continues, Alternatives Emerging

Le VPN emphasized the severity of the VPN app removal initiative, viewing it as a substantial stride in Roskomnadzor's continuous endeavors to regulate internet access and content within Russia. Furthermore, this development is perceived as an extension of the ongoing regulatory actions the Kremlin has been taking since the outbreak of the Russo-Ukrainian war in February 2022. These steps have led to the blocking of numerous media channels, alongside popular social media apps like Facebook, Instagram, and X.

In response to this extensive restriction, Le VPN has launched an alternative solution named 'Le VPN Give.' This service offers connection to their concealed servers through obfuscated VPN connections and third-party open-source software. Overall, these ongoing developments underline the escalating issue of internet censorship in Russia, its impact on data protection, cyber security and the broader question of privacy in the digital age.