Apple Removes Russian News App from App Store

(Reuters) – Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) has deleted one of U.S.-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Russian-language news apps from the Russian App Store at the request of state communications regulator Roskomnadzor, according to the news outlet on Friday.

Apple and Roskomnadzor did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Reuters reporters in Russia could still access the app on mobile devices.

Under President Vladimir Putin, Russia has blacklisted dozens of opposition media websites and banned several foreign social media platforms, describing this crackdown as part of an information war against the West following Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Moscow's restriction of news sites limits access to independent media for Russians and often accuses blocked sites of false reporting.

RFE/RL journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, previously found guilty in Russia of spreading false information about the Russian army, was released in a prisoner swap with the West on Aug. 1. RFE/RL CEO Stephen Capus criticized Kurmasheva's trial as "a mockery of justice."

One of RFE/RL's local websites in Russia, Siberia.Realities, reported that Apple had notified Radio Svoboda, meaning "freedom" in Russian, about the deletion of the Svoboda app, which contains Russian content from Siberia.Realities and North.Realities projects.

In July, Interfax reported that Apple removed 25 virtual private network applications from its App Store in Russia at the request of Roskomnadzor, part of Moscow's crackdown on services circumventing online restrictions. Additionally, Apple paused all product sales in Russia soon after the Ukraine invasion and limited its Apple Pay service in the country.