Apple still blocking access to news apps and podcasts at Moscow’s request

Apple has removed a news app by the U.S.-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) from its Russian version of the App Store at the request of Russian authorities, the media outlet said late last week.

The move is part of a broader trend of compliance by the U.S. tech giant with Moscow's strict censorship laws. These regulations require companies to restrict access to independent media, virtual private networks (VPNs), and other services deemed a threat to the Kremlin.

According to a statement by RFE/RL on Friday, for the third time Apple has blocked the outlet’s Russian-language news app following a request from Russia's media regulator, Roskomnadzor, which has designated RFE/RL as an "undesirable" organization in Russia. The app remains available in other countries.

Earlier this month, Apple reportedly restricted access in Russia to podcasts from independent media outlets, including The Insider, Echo of Moscow, and BBC Russia. Local media reported that the affected podcasts remained accessible only to users who had previously downloaded or listened to them. New users could no longer find the episodes in Apple Podcasts search results unless they were outside Russia or used an Apple account registered in another region.

Hey @Apple, it’s us again, with yet another reminder for you to stop doing the bidding of authoritarian governments by blocking access to free + independent news sources.

Restore access now, and whilst you’re at it, restore VPNs on your AppStore in Russia! https://t.co/1Is0e2SRz6

— Access Now (@accessnow) November 15, 2024

In July, Apple reportedly removed almost 100 VPN services from the Russian App Store at the request of Roskomnadzor. The reason cited for the removal was noncompliance with local legal requirements, specifically referencing content considered illegal in Russia.

VPN services are in high demand in Russia, as they allow citizens to access the web while bypassing government censorship by masking the location of a web browser. The government blocks the majority of Western social networks and news media, as well as local opposition media outlets, from access through Russian IP addresses.

Apple's “silent removal” of 60 VPN apps is “a direct threat to digital freedom and privacy,” said digital rights expert Benjamin Ismail. 

“By unilaterally restricting access to these essential tools without transparency or due process, Apple is complicit in enabling government censorship,” he said.

Apple hasn’t publicly commented on the latest removals or responded to a request for comment, but back in 2021 — when the company restricted access to Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny’s mobile app — it shared a letter with Navalny’s team reportedly stating that the app was removed because it “included content that is illegal in Russia and violates Russian regulations.

“We know this stuff is complicated, but it is your responsibility to understand and make sure your app conforms with all local laws,” Apple reportedly said. Navalny’s app was considered one of the major platforms that his team hoped to use to disseminate strategic voting recommendations in parliamentary races across the country.

Формальное основание удаления приложений: признание ФБК экстремистской организацией.
То, как ФБК признавали экстремистской организацией – было не судом, а издевательством над здравым смыслом. @google @Apple совершают огромную ошибку. pic.twitter.com/3AG4tHXdZp

— Ivan Zhdanov (@ioannZH) September 17, 2021

The Kremlin is known for its censorship efforts targeting Western tech services, among others. Earlier in October, Russia blocked access to the messaging platform Discord, claiming that it refused to cooperate with local authorities.

In July, Russia announced it was slowing YouTube's loading speeds in response to Google’s refusal to comply with Russian tech regulations. In August, Russia blocked the encrypted messaging app Signal for violating laws related to anti-terrorism operations.

To force Western tech firms to cooperate, Russia usually imposes fines on them. Earlier in November, a Moscow court fined Apple almost $37,000 for refusing to remove two podcasts that contained "information aimed at destabilizing the political situation in Russia.” It is not clear which podcasts were in question or if Apple paid the fine or just removed the content.

On Monday, a Russian court also fined Google 3.8 million rubles ($38,000) for failing to remove banned content. Earlier this month, the Kremlin imposed a “symbolic” $20 decillion fine — higher than the value of all the money in the world combined — on Google to force it to lift restrictions on Russian YouTube channels.

“Google should not restrict the actions of our broadcasters, but it does. This should be a reason for Google’s management to pay attention to this and correct the situation,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said at the time.