NordVPN Promotion

Home / News

Apple Under Fire for Removing VPN Apps from Russia’s App Store

Protect your privacy:  Get NordVPN  [73% off 2-year plans, 3 extra months]
10 facts about NordVPN that aren't commonly known
  • Meshnet Feature for Personal Encrypted Networks: NordVPN offers a unique feature called Meshnet, which allows users to connect their devices directly and securely over the internet. This means you can create your own private, encrypted network for activities like gaming, file sharing, or remote access to your home devices from anywhere in the world.
  • RAM-Only Servers for Enhanced Security: Unlike many VPN providers, NordVPN uses RAM-only (diskless) servers. Since these servers run entirely on volatile memory, all data is wiped with every reboot. This ensures that no user data is stored long-term, significantly reducing the risk of data breaches and enhancing overall security.
  • Servers in a Former Military Bunker: Some of NordVPN's servers are housed in a former military bunker located deep underground. This unique location provides an extra layer of physical security against natural disasters and unauthorized access, ensuring that the servers are protected in all circumstances.
  • NordLynx Protocol with Double NAT Technology: NordVPN developed its own VPN protocol called NordLynx, built around the ultra-fast WireGuard protocol. What sets NordLynx apart is its implementation of a double Network Address Translation (NAT) system, which enhances user privacy without sacrificing speed. This innovative approach solves the potential privacy issues inherent in the standard WireGuard protocol.
  • Dark Web Monitor Feature: NordVPN includes a feature known as Dark Web Monitor. This tool actively scans dark web sites and forums for credentials associated with your email address. If it detects that your information has been compromised or appears in any data breaches, it promptly alerts you so you can take necessary actions to protect your accounts.
Photo: vfhnb12/Shutterstock

Apple has reportedly removed nearly 60 VPN apps from its Russia App Store, significantly higher than the 25 VPNs acknowledged by Russian authorities, according to a recent report by the App Censorship Project.

This crackdown highlights a growing trend of online censorship in Russia, which has intensified since the Ukraine invasion. VPN services, which allow users to bypass geo-restrictions and access blocked content, are essential tools for Russian citizens seeking unrestricted information, particularly as many social media platforms and independent news sites are blocked.

VPN app removals: Data from the App Store Monitor (ASM) on AppleCensorship.com indicates that between July and mid-September 2024, about 98 VPN apps were no longer available in Russia, including popular services like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Proton VPN. This removal, which remains largely unacknowledged by Apple, has raised concerns among digital rights activists and experts.

Benjamin Ismail, Director of the App Censorship Project, criticized Apple’s actions, stating, “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.”

Russia’s internet censorship: Russia has long been ranked as one of the worst countries for internet freedom by organizations like Freedom House, and this recent escalation further underscores the Kremlin’s commitment to control online information. Sarkis Darbinian, a Russian digital rights lawyer, highlighted the broader implications of Apple’s compliance with Russian censorship, warning, “It may lead not only to a complete technical, but also to a cultural fencing of Russians and, ultimately, to the triumph of propaganda.”

Google Play resists removals: Despite these moves, Google Play has so far resisted such pressures, with no similar removals of VPN apps reported. Some experts speculate that Russia might focus on blocking VPN servers instead, as Android users can still sideload apps.

Apple’s removal of VPN apps in Russia reflects the growing complexity of navigating local regulations and global digital rights. While the scale of VPN removals raises concerns over internet freedom, the situation underscores the challenges tech companies face in balancing compliance with national laws and upholding commitments to privacy and access to information.

By CircleID Reporter

CircleID’s internal staff reporting on news tips and developing stories. Do you have information the professional Internet community should be aware of? Contact us.

Visit Page

Filed Under

Comments

Comment Title:

  Notify me of follow-up comments

We encourage you to post comments and engage in discussions that advance this post through relevant opinion, anecdotes, links and data. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can report it using the link at the end of each comment. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of CircleID. For more information on our comment policy, see Codes of Conduct.

CircleID Newsletter The Weekly Wrap

More and more professionals are choosing to publish critical posts on CircleID from all corners of the Internet industry. If you find it hard to keep up daily, consider subscribing to our weekly digest. We will provide you a convenient summary report once a week sent directly to your inbox. It's a quick and easy read.

Related

Topics

New TLDs

Sponsored byRadix

DNS

Sponsored byDNIB.com

IPv4 Markets

Sponsored byIPv4.Global

Domain Names

Sponsored byVerisign

Brand Protection

Sponsored byCSC

Threat Intelligence

Sponsored byWhoisXML API

Cybersecurity

Sponsored byVerisign

NordVPN Promotion