Apple, a US technology company that operates the App Store, has removed multiple virtual private network applications from its Russian storefront following requests from Russia’s communications regulator, according to reports from app developers and media outlets.
The removals were carried out after Roskomnadzor, the Russian state body responsible for regulating media and internet access, issued demands targeting services that allow users to bypass online restrictions. Several VPN providers stated that they received notices from Apple confirming that their applications had been taken down from the Russian App Store in response to these requests.
According to reporting based on statements from affected companies, at least 25 VPN applications were removed in early July 2024. The list included widely used services such as Proton VPN, Red Shield VPN, and NordVPN.
Russian authorities have stated that the removals were linked to compliance with local legal requirements. In notices cited by VPN providers, Apple referred to claims that certain applications promoted or facilitated access to content considered restricted under Russian law.
Additional reporting indicates that the number of unavailable VPN applications in the Russian App Store may be higher than the initial figure publicly acknowledged by authorities. Independent monitoring projects and researchers have reported that dozens of VPN services have become inaccessible over time, suggesting that removals have continued beyond the initial wave.
The removals apply specifically to the Russian version of the App Store and do not affect the global availability of the affected applications. Apple has not published a detailed public statement outlining the full scope of the removals or the criteria used to determine which applications were affected.
VPN services are commonly used to access content that may be restricted by national internet controls. Demand for such tools in Russia increased after authorities introduced measures limiting access to certain foreign platforms and online services.
Further reports indicate that Apple has continued to remove additional VPN applications from the Russian App Store in subsequent months following similar regulatory requests.