- At the request of Russia’s state communications regulator Roskomnadsor, Apple removes 25 VPN services from its app store.
- Russia’s communications regulator, Roskomnadsor, has blocked access to some large VPNS.
OUR TAKE
VPN is gaining traction globally as a tool to bypass geographic restrictions and protect personal privacy. In countries like Russia, VPN is not only a tool for freedom of information, but an essential means of protecting personal privacy from government censorship.
–Zora Lin, BTW reporter
What happened
Us tech giant Apple has removed 25 mobile apps for VPN services from its app store at the request of Russia’s state communications regulator Roskomnadsor, Interfax news agency reports on Thursday.
Demand for VPN services soar in Russia after President Vladimir Putin orders troops into Ukraine in 2022 and authorities restricts access to some Western social media.
Russia’s communications regulator Roskomnadsor has blocked access to some large VPNS, but others remain available.
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Why it’s important
Roskomnadsor’s request to Apple to remove VPN apps reflects the Russian government’s increased efforts to regulate Internet content, not only the restriction of VPNS, but also the Russian government’s tough stance on online censorship, trying to limit citizens’ ability to access foreign sources of information.
As Russia restricts access to some Western social media, demand for VPN services has surged among Russians, reflecting a desire for freedom of information and a willingness to bypass government censorship.
Apple’s removal of VPN apps in Russia shows the complexity of the trade-off between global politics and business, a trade-off that highlights the tension between global freedom of information and government control, as well as the challenges tech companies face in a globalised environment.
