Apple removes numerous VPN applications from the Russian App Store

Since the onset of Russia’s extensive military campaign against Ukraine, Apple has notably reduced its presence in the Russian market. The company has halted all product sales and restricted certain services, including Apple Pay. Nevertheless, Apple maintains a fully operational App Store in Russia, which has drawn significant criticism for its compliance with Russian government demands to eliminate VPN applications to conform to local censorship laws.

A recent report from GreatFire, utilizing data from AppleCensorship—a platform dedicated to tracking app availability in Apple’s App Stores—indicates that nearly 60 VPN applications were removed by Apple during the summer of 2024, bringing the total to 98 since the conflict began. This list includes reputable services known for their secure data practices, such as ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Norton Secure, Proton, and Bitdefender.

The number of VPN applications removed by Apple surpasses the 25 that Russia’s communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, has officially reported as banned. This discrepancy raises serious questions regarding Apple’s transparency and its complicity in facilitating censorship within the country. Benjamin Ismail, Director of the App Censorship Project at GreatFire, remarked that the quiet removal of nearly 60 VPN apps from the Russian App Store poses a significant threat to digital freedom and privacy.

By imposing unilateral restrictions on access to vital tools without transparency or due process, Apple is facilitating government censorship. Apple must reaffirm its dedication to human rights and provide a comprehensive rationale for its actions.

The removal of VPN applications by Apple appears to be a response to Russia’s stringent internet regulations, which mandate that technology companies assist in government censorship initiatives. This limitation on VPN access enables the Russian authorities to exert greater control over information dissemination and surveillance of its populace.

Apple finds itself in a recurring predicament: either acquiesce to authoritarian pressures or risk diminishing user experience and profitability. While the exact size of the Russian market for Apple remains uncertain, the company continues to offer various services in the region, including Apple Music and Apple TV+. Noncompliance could lead to significant penalties or even the suspension of these services.

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