Apple has reportedly removed dozens of VPN apps in Russia, considerably more than the Kremlin’s censorship body officially reported. The App Censorship Project discovered that 60 apps, including several top VPN services, were quietly removed by the tech giant between early July and September 18, 2024. However, Russia’s censorship agency, Roskomnadzor, publicly acknowledged the removal of only 25 VPN apps.
Apple products are still being sold in Russia despite the firm officially leaving the market due to the invasion of Ukraine. The U.S. company has now removed a total of 98 VPNs, according to the GreatFire project.
It turns out @Apple is removing far more #VPN apps from #Russia's App Store than what was publicly reported in July. Our latest findings reveal the extent of this silent crackdown.
— AppCensorship (@AppCensorship) September 25, 2024
It turns out Human rights organizations urge Apple to reverse course in Russia
Benjamin Ismail, Director of the App Censorship Project at GreatFire, stated: “Apple’s silent removal of close to 60 VPN apps from the Russia App Store is not just alarming—it’s a direct threat to digital freedom and privacy.
“By unilaterally restricting access to these essential tools without transparency or due process, Apple is complicit in enabling government censorship. We demand that Apple uphold its commitment to human rights and provide a clear explanation for these actions.”
The findings have also raised concerns among digital rights advocates worldwide. Evan Greer, Director of Fight for the Future, the group behind the campaign at FreetheIphone.com, emphasized the broader implications: “The fact that nearly 100 VPN apps are now unavailable in Russia’s App Store highlights a disturbing trend of corporate complicity in state-sponsored censorship. VPNs are lifelines for journalists, activists, and everyday citizens striving to access information and communicate securely.
He also said that Apple’s actions both undermined “the privacy and security of millions,” but also “set a dangerous precedent” for how tech companies may collaborate with governments that impose censorship.
Greer added: “It’s imperative that Apple reverses this course and stands up for the rights of its users.”
In early September, 50 human rights organizations, media outlets, IT companies, journalistic groups, and public figures issued an open letter urging Apple to “immediately restore” VPN apps to its Russian App Store.
ReadWrite has reached out to Apple for comment.
Featured image: Ideogram
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