Apple has removed from the Russian unit of its App Store several VPN services used to bypass blocking efforts by the Kremlin, Russian media outlets and VPN services reported on July 4. The U.S.-based Red Shield VPN said Apple removed its app at the request of Roskomnadzor, Russia’s media watchdog. “We encourage journalists and human rights organizations to publish information and submit requests to Apple about it,” Red Shield said in a tweet. Roskomnadzor has suppressed dozens of VPN services in the country that can be used to access media and social networks blocked by Russian authorities. VPN use in Russia has increased significantly following the Kremlin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and a subsequent crackdown on media access and independent voices in the country. VPNs, or virtual private networks, allow users to mask the area or country they are in, thereby allowing them to circumvent local Internet restrictions.To read the original story by RFE/RL’s Russian Service, click here.
