Serious Discussion Popular VPNs have just disappeared from the Apple App Store in Russia

[vtqhtr413]

At least four of the best VPN services have reportedly disappeared from the Apple App Store in Russia as of Thursday, July 4, 2024.

The news comes as two of the providers affected (Red Shield VPN and Le VPN) have shared the communication they received from Apple to notify the removal "per demand from Roskomnadzor," the Russian censor body, for including "content that is illegal in Russia." NordVPN and Proton VPN also appear to have been removed.

Despite civil societies repeatedly calling on big tech to stop helping Russia censor free speech, Apple has clearly bent on the Kremlin's censorship orders at last. VPN services have increasingly come under attack lately across the country, with a new law enforced in March now criminalizing the spread of information about ways to circumvent internet restrictions.

Popular VPNs have just disappeared from the Apple App Store in Russia

The big tech giant bends at Kremlin censorship orders

www.techradar.com

 

[Marko :)]

This is exactly the reason why I hate Apple and their explicit no side-loading policy. I know it's there just for the sake people would spend money on the App Store and Apple get a cut, buy they also enable governments to completely control their what their citizens can and can't see. They constantly scream security; and while that's a fair point to, add bunch of warnings like on Android and average Joe won't side-load. If you care about side-loading, great, you have that option; and if you don't, just pretend the option isn't there. I don't really see the problem other than Apple potentially losing bunch of money because they couldn't be able to get a cut anymore.