Putin wants total control in Russia. VPN’s were a threat to this control, and Apple is more than happy to do whatever nation that makes a request says.
Apple has recently removed several virtual private network (VPN) apps from its Russian AppStore at the request of Roskomnadzor, Russia’s media regulator. This development was reported by Mediazona, an independent news outlet. The affected VPN services include prominent names like ProtonVPN, Red Shield VPN, NordVPN, and Le VPN. As a result of this action, residents in Russia are now unable to download these VPN services from the AppStore, although existing users can continue to use currently installed versions without the ability to update them.
Apple Reportedly Removes VPN Services In Russia Often Used To Access Media Blocked By Kremlin https://t.co/orqI09sYNb
— Rights in Russia (@rightsinrussia) July 4, 2024
Red Shield VPN shared a notification from Apple on X (formerly Twitter), explaining that their app was removed due to containing content considered illegal in Russia. This decision aligns with the broader context of increased online censorship in Russia following the country’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The Russian government has since blocked access to numerous independent media sources and widely used social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X.
VPNs have become essential tools for Russians seeking access to unfiltered internet content. These services create a secure tunnel for internet traffic, encrypt communications, and alter a user’s IP address to bypass geographical restrictions and censorship. However, accessing VPNs in Russia has become increasingly difficult. A recent legislative ban prohibits the “advertising and popularization of VPNs,” which extends to banning web pages that provide instructions on setting up VPN services.
Apple Removes 25 VPNs from Its Russian App Store to Comply with Regulations#Apple #Russia #Censorship #VPNhttps://t.co/D7ZN10O9pj
— TechNadu (@TechNadu) July 5, 2024
Despite halting all sales of its products in Russia in March 2022, Apple has continued to adhere to requests from the Russian government. Since 2023, the company has removed at least 19 apps from the Russian AppStore following government directives. Among the notable removals was an app developed by the late Russian opposition politician Alexey Navalny. This app was intended to guide Russian voters on how to vote strategically against President Putin. The removal of this app in March, following a similar action in 2021, underscores Apple’s compliance with local regulations.
Apple removes mobile apps of 25 VPN services from its App Store in Russia https://t.co/sqDR6pbHpt $AAPL pic.twitter.com/9ZXtOzXAZ9
— MacHash (@MacHashNews) July 5, 2024
Key Points:
i. Apple has removed several VPN apps from its Russian AppStore, including ProtonVPN, Red Shield VPN, NordVPN, and Le VPN, following a request from Roskomnadzor, Russia’s media regulator.
ii. The removal prevents new downloads of these VPN services in Russia, although existing users can continue to use the apps without the ability to receive updates.
iii. This action is part of a broader increase in online censorship in Russia, which has intensified since the country’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, leading to the blocking of independent media and major social platforms.
iv. VPNs, which help users bypass internet censorship by encrypting traffic and changing IP addresses, have become crucial for accessing unrestricted internet in Russia but are becoming harder to access due to new bans on advertising and popularizing VPNs.
v. Despite stopping sales of its products in Russia in March 2022, Apple has complied with Russian government regulations, removing at least 19 apps from its AppStore since 2023, including an app designed by late opposition politician Alexey Navalny.
Al Santana – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
