VPN apps removed in Russia: civil rights activists sharply criticize Apple
In July, Apple removed various VPN apps from the Russian App Store. Civil rights activists have now responded with an open letter to Apple's CEO Tim Cook.
(Image: Shutterstock/Primakov)
Over 40 Russian and international civil rights organizations are calling on Apple to allow VPN apps in the App Store in Russia again. The company must not turn its back on Russia's civil society, according to an open letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook published by "Access Now". Apple's caving in to the Russian government contradicts its own company policy and international human rights standards.
At the beginning of July, it became known that Apple had blocked 25 VPN programs in the Russian App Store. Virtual Private Networks (VPN) encrypt data traffic. In addition to increased data protection, they make it possible to circumvent censorship measures on the internet. According to reports, the deletion order in Russia was issued by the Russian internet supervisory and censorship authority Roskomnadzor. A connection to the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine is seen. Since then, stricter censorship measures have been in place, including a ban on talking about war.
No open internet without VPNs
Apple had previously stopped selling its devices in the Russian Federation in response to the Russian attack. The Russian Federation then sanctioned Apple and restricted the Apple Pay payment service, among other things. The Apple Maps service has also been restricted since then. However, the App Store can still be used.
Civil rights activists see the removal of VPN apps as a suppression of freedom of speech, which Apple is helping Russia with. Without VPNs, there would be no open internet in the country. "From civil society to journalists, VPNs are the lifeline for anyone raising a voice for human rights in Russia," the statement reads. Signatories include the Electronic Frontier Foundation and Reporters Without Borders.
Blocks also in China
Apple has repeatedly been confronted with situations in which governments have demanded that the iPhone manufacturer comply with the censorship regulations of the respective countries. For example, Apple removed VPN apps from the App Store in China at the end of 2017, for which the company was sharply criticized by US politicians and others. In 2020, feed readers were also removed at the behest of China. Also in 2020, the company declared its commitment to freedom of expression – but with the restriction that local laws must also be followed.
(mki)