Published on: July 12, 2024
Russian watchdog group, Roskomnadzor, pressured Apple to remove 25 different VPN apps from the iOS app store to accommodate Russia’s current VPN laws.
Apple pulled several major VPN apps from the Russian app store, barring new users from installing these apps to their phones. The ban includes popular VPNs such as Private Internet Access (PIA), NordVPN, ProtonVPN, Hidemy.Name, PlanetVPN, Red Shield VPN, Le VPN, and over a dozen more.
The company also contacted VPN companies directly to inform them as to why these apps were taken down. Red Shield VPN and Le VPN confirmed that Apple reached out to them.
“We are writing to notify you that your application, per demand from Roskomnadzor will be removed from the Russia App Store because it includes content that is illegal in Russia, which is not in compliance with the App Review Guidelines,” Apple explains.
The surprise ban didn’t actually come as much of a surprise to many VPN companies. Over the last several years, Russia has cracked down hard on VPN companies, starting by banning the use of VPNs and the Tor browser back in 2017.
After Russia began enforcing the ban several years later, they made it a requirement for VPNs to share data with the Russian State Information System (FGIS). The only VPN to accept these terms was Kaspersky. Russia has also put full bans on ProtonVPN, OperaVPN, NordVPN, and even ExpressVPN (plus a dozen others) several years ago, though their apps remained available to download on the app store.
All of this led to Roskomnadzor contacting Apple to pressure them into removing VPN services from Russia. However, there are still options for citizens to continue using VPN services, Apple explains.
“If you need additional information regarding this removal or the laws and requirements in Russia, we encourage you to reach out directly to Roskomnadzor. While your app has been removed from the Russia App Store, it is still available in the App Stores for the other territories you selected in App Store Connect.”