Russia Directs Apple to Remove VPN Apps

Apple has removed 25 VPN apps from its app store in Russia following a request from Roskomnadzor, the country's internet regulator. The affected apps include popular services such as NordVPN, Proton VPN, Red Shield VPN, and Planet VPN.

This action comes as part of a broader effort by the Russian government to control internet access and censor online content. VPNs are commonly used by Russians to circumvent government censorship and access restricted content.

Roskomnadzor cited noncompliance with local legal requirements as the reason for the removal, according to reports from Interfax and other Russian news agencies.

Red Shield VPN condemned Apple's decision, stating, "Apple's action is not just fantastic hypocrisy and cowardice, but a real crime against freedom of information and civil society." LeVPN also criticized the move, noting that it marks a significant step in Roskomnadzor's ongoing efforts to control internet access within Russia. The VPN providers revealed that they received letters from Apple notifying them of the removal, with Apple citing the apps' inclusion of content considered illegal in Russia.

The Record reported that VPN services like LeVPN and Red Shield VPN are offering ways to bypass these new restrictions so that Russian users can continue to use their services. LeVPN also mentioned that they are collaborating with human rights activists and other VPN providers to assess the situation more broadly. "This recent development underscores a significant escalation in Roskomnadzor’s capabilities, demonstrating its increasing influence over major technology companies like Apple," stated a LeVPN spokesperson.

TechCrunch added that this removal is part of an ongoing crackdown by the Russian government, which has previously banned VPN advertising ahead of elections.

This is not the first instance of such censorship by the Russian government. Since the start of the Russo-Ukrainian conflict in February 2022, the Kremlin has intensified efforts to block access to numerous media outlets and social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and X.