Interfax: Apple removed the mobile apps of 25 VPN services from its App Store in Russia, following a request by state communications watchdog Roskomnadzor

U.S. tech giant Apple (AAPL.O) removed the mobile apps of 25 VPN services from its App Store, following a request …

Reuters 2024-07-06

Context & Ripple Effects

Apple’s Russia action follows an earlier App Store censorship precedent: in 2017, Apple removed major VPN apps in China that were used to bypass internet controls, as covered in its China VPN-app removals.

The related coverage also shows Apple’s Russian App Store decisions becoming a recurring compliance issue, including later disputes over the removal of VK apps. This matters because app-store distribution is a practical control point for access tools and local digital services.

First-order effects

The 25 named VPN services lose App Store distribution to iPhone users in Russia, while Apple complies with Roskomnadzor’s removal request.
Russian iPhone users seeking those services must turn to alternatives that remain available through the App Store or outside it.

Second-order effects

VPN providers serving Russia face higher distribution risk and may need to reassess whether their apps can remain listed under local demands.
The move puts other platform operators on notice that Russian regulator requests can directly determine what access tools reach mobile users.

Third-order effects

If repeated, country-specific App Store removals would further fragment mobile software availability, with platforms acting as localized enforcement gates rather than globally consistent storefronts.
The China and Russia cases point to a broader tension: global app platforms may preserve market access by complying with national restrictions, while the range of readily available circumvention tools narrows.

The trend: This is one instance of app stores becoming a key enforcement layer for national internet-control regimes.

Discussion

@mrkevinrothrock Kevin Rothrock on threads
The State Duma's Info Policy Committee dep chair praises Apple as “one of the few U.S. companies striving to comply w/ Russian legislation & hold a dialogue w/ the regulator.” Why? AppStore just blocked access to a bunch more VPNs for users inside Russia. https://www.kommersant…
@tolmasky@mastodon.social Francisco Tolmasky on mastodon
@Leonick @stroughtonsmith It is much harder to write a law requiring an existing open platform become closed. Russia could have theoretically mandated that Microsoft write a new version of Win95 that used a certificate system so apps could only be acquired through a new mandated…
@arroz@mastodon.social Miguel Arroz on mastodon
The problem is not Apple complying with foreign laws. They have to, and although that is not true here, in most instances it's a good thing (I don't want American companies bullying through European or Canadian laws, for example). — The problem is Apple building platforms that…
@tolmasky@mastodon.social Francisco Tolmasky on mastodon
Just like when Apple got rid of the HKlive app during the Hong Kong protests. Imagine if there was a way to install apps not through the AppStore. That way the AppStore couldn't be exploited as a censorship tool by governments. But then Apple might not make every possible cent…
@nexta_tv @nexta_tv on x
AppStore removes VPN services at the request of Russian authorities Such services as Proton, Nord, Red Shield and Le VPN have disappeared from the app store. The official reason is “non-compliance” with Russian law. [image]
@mediazona_en Mediazona English on x
Apple has removed four VPN service apps from the Russian AppStore—Proton VPN, Red Shield VPN, NordVPN, and Le VPN. According to a notice published by Red Shield and Le VPN, the company refers to Roskomnadzor, Russian internet watchdog [image]
@accessnow @accessnow on x
VPNs are vital! For people in Russia to continue exercising their rights to express, access information + dissent, @Apple must stop aiding Kremlin in suffocating the country's civic space.
@appcensorship @appcensorship on x
The truth is, Apple deliberately conflates ‘complying with the law’ with ‘complying with officials’ orders.' These are not the same. Often, officials issue orders that are illegal or abusive. In countries without rule of law, such orders aren't overturned—they're enforced. @Apple
@appcensorship @appcensorship on x
Apple's controlled @AppStore environment lets them selectively target VPNs like Proton VPN, Red Shield VPN, NordVPN, and Le VPN in specific regions. This creates the illusion that most VPNs are widely available, when in fact, @Apple censors key services at the behest of repressi…
@timsweeneyepic Tim Sweeney on x
@AppCensorship ... “We have to obey the laws of the places we do business in”, says Apple, while breaking the European DMA, California UCL, and other competition laws.
@mediazona_en Mediazona English on x
In recent years, Roskomnadzor has banned more than a dozen VPN services. In the spring of 2022, the censorship agency began banning entire VPN protocols https://en.zona.media/...
@appcensorship @appcensorship on x
Our study may suggest that authorities in Russia primarily block VPN services directly rather than removing apps from platforms. This comes from observing that many VPN apps remain available for download, including those removed by Apple (for ex: Proton VPN is still available on
@appcensorship @appcensorship on x
Our recent study on the availability of 50 popular VPN apps worldwide, with both iOS and Android versions, reveals that in Russia, 9 VPN apps are unavailable either on the App Store or the Play Store. Often, availability is limited to one platform, with only a few VPNs
@acf_int @acf_int on x
Apple helps Putin's propaganda and censorship machine 🤬 VPNs are the only way for Russians to bypass government censorship and access reliable information. @Apple removed several VPN services from the Russian @AppStore at Roskomnadzor's request, #Putin's censorship authority. [im…
@abarbashin Anton Barbashin on x
Here we go again. @Apple, please do not help Russian censorship. VPNs are essentially for accessing non-state controlled media
@irgarner Dr. Ian Garner on x
Hey Apple, why would you help the Kremlin censor its own population?
@0xtantin @0xtantin on x
OMG! Apple just started to delete VPN apps based on Russian Roskomnadzor requests 😱 Apple cooperates with the illegal Russian government to enforce illicit laws. I guess money doesn't smell after all. [image]
@novayagazeta_en @novayagazeta_en on x
Apple has removed several apps offering virtual private network (VPN) services from the Russian AppStore, following a request from Roskomnadzor, Russia's media regulator, independent news outlet Mediazona reported on Thursday. ⤵️ [image]
r/worldnews r on reddit
Russia Forces Apple to Remove VPNs From App Store
r/mullvadvpn r on reddit
Russia Forces Apple to Remove VPNs From App Store
r/vpns r on reddit
Russia Forces Apple to Remove VPNs From App Store

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