Apple quietly removed 60 more VPNs from Russian app store, researchers claim

iThing-maker is Putin Kremlin repression ahead of privacy, rights orgs argue

Apple has pulled 60 VPNs from its App Store in Russia, according to research from anti-censorship org GreatFire.

The iThing-maker's action comes amid a Kremlin crackdown on VPNs that has already seen a ban on privacy-related extensions to the open source Firefox browser. The software's developer, Mozilla, defied that ban and allowed the extensions back into its web store. In July, Apple removed at least one VPN from its Russian App Store.

Cupertino removed at least 60 more between early July and September 18, according to research that GreatFire posted to its site that tracks Apple censorship. The org's study asserts that 98 VPNs are now unavailable in Russia.

"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," asserted Benjamin Ismail, director of the App Censorship Project at GreatFire.

"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 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," argued Evan Greer, director of digital rights advocacy group Fight for the Future.

"VPNs are lifelines for journalists, activists, and everyday citizens striving to access information and communicate securely."

"Apple's actions not only undermine the privacy and security of millions but also set a dangerous precedent for how tech companies may collaborate with authoritarian regimes. It's imperative that Apple reverses this course and stands up for the rights of its users," he told The Register.

Russian regulators have long been keen to limit the use privacy software and that stance has hardened since the illegal invasion of Ukraine.

In March a law came into effect that makes it an offense to advertise VPN software in Putin's fiefdom.

Russia's government does not want its citizens accessing perspectives other than its own about the illegal war in Ukraine, and such views are available on services like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter/X – all of are unavailable from inside Russia except by using a VPN.

Russia's also not that keen on Apple anyway. Last year the Kremlin banned employees from owning an iPhone – not a problem for Putin, as he famously doesn't use a mobile. Over the last couple of years Apple has also had to pay tens of millions of dollars in fines over its anticompetitive behavior.

Apple had no comment at time of publication. ®