Security News > 2024 > July > Apple Removes VPN Apps from Russian App Store Amid Government Pressure

Apple removed a number of virtual private network apps in Russia from its App Store on July 4, 2024, following a request by Russia's state communications watchdog Roskomnadzor, Russian news media reported.

This includes the mobile apps of 25 VPN service providers, including ProtonVPN, Red Shield VPN, NordVPN and Le VPN, according to MediaZona.

"Apple's actions, motivated by a desire to retain revenue from the Russian market, actively support an authoritarian regime," Red Shield VPN said in a statement.

In a similar notice, Le VPN said the takedown was carried out in accordance with No. 7 of Article 15.1 of the Federal Law dated July 27, 2006, No. 149-FZ "On Information, Information Technologies and Information Protection" and that its app was removed even before it received the official notice from the watchdog.

To that end, the VPN services have been included in the "Unified register" of internet resources prohibited for public distribution in Russia.

To counter the widespread crackdown, Le VPN has since launched an alternative service called Le VPN Give that it says "Allows you to connect to our secret servers using third-party open-source software and obfuscated VPN connections."

News URL

https://thehackernews.com/2024/07/apple-removes-vpn-apps-from-russian-app.html