December 01, 2019

Roskmomnadzor Strikes At VPNs, Again


Roskmomnadzor Strikes At VPNs, Again
iPhone resting on top of a Macbook keyboard. SimonWaldherr, Wikimedia Commons.

On July 4, the Russian version of Apple's App Store notified four Virtual Private Network (VPN) companies they would no longer be available on their platform due to pressure from the service supervising communications, Roskomnadzor.

When Russia's War on Ukraine began, the Kremlin cracked down on internet use within its borders. Local and foreign news websites and social media platforms, including all Meta platforms and X/Twitter, were banned in the country. In response, many Russians turned to VPNs to bypass government restrictions and surveillance, and to access forbidden content. 

Roskomnadzor had blocked multiple VPN servers even before Russia's invasion of Ukraine. However, the war has fueled the Kremlin's urgency to tackle any access to independent news sources and "unfriendly" internet content. Proton, Nord, Red Shield, and Le VPN are the latest victims of Roskomnadzor bans. 

In an email shared by Red Shield VPN on X, the App Review said it removed the application from the App Store "because it includes content that is illegal in Russia, which is not in compliance with the App Review Guidelines." The App Review concluded their notification with a suggestion to consult with an attorney or contact Roskomnazor directly.

Since these VPN services are still available in other countries, Red Shield VPN suggested that Russian users change their Apple ID region to continue to access the app. However, experts warned Mediazona that connecting to VPNs will become harder for regular users as Russia attempts to replace global platforms with national copies.

See Also

No More Music

No More Music

So far this year, Yandex.Music has eradicated more than 4000 bits of content.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of Our Books

Jews in Service to the Tsar

Jews in Service to the Tsar

Benjamin Disraeli advised, “Read no history: nothing but biography, for that is life without theory.” With Jews in Service to the Tsar, Lev Berdnikov offers us 28 biographies spanning five centuries of Russian Jewish history, and each portrait opens a new window onto the history of Eastern Europe’s Jews, illuminating dark corners and challenging widely-held conceptions about the role of Jews in Russian history.
The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas

This exciting new trilogy by a Russian author – who has been compared to Orhan Pamuk and Umberto Eco – vividly recreates a lost world, yet its passions and characters are entirely relevant to the present day. Full of mystery, memorable characters, and non-stop adventure, The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas is a must read for lovers of historical fiction and international thrillers.  
Woe From Wit (bilingual)

Woe From Wit (bilingual)

One of the most famous works of Russian literature, the four-act comedy in verse Woe from Wit skewers staid, nineteenth century Russian society, and it positively teems with “winged phrases” that are essential colloquialisms for students of Russian and Russian culture.
The Latchkey Murders

The Latchkey Murders

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin is back on the case in this prequel to the popular mystery Murder at the Dacha, in which a serial killer is on the loose in Khrushchev’s Moscow...
Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka

In this comprehensive, quixotic and addictive book, Edwin Trommelen explores all facets of the Russian obsession with vodka. Peering chiefly through the lenses of history and literature, Trommelen offers up an appropriately complex, rich and bittersweet portrait, based on great respect for Russian culture.
The Little Humpbacked Horse (bilingual)

The Little Humpbacked Horse (bilingual)

A beloved Russian classic about a resourceful Russian peasant, Vanya, and his miracle-working horse, who together undergo various trials, exploits and adventures at the whim of a laughable tsar, told in rich, narrative poetry.
Fearful Majesty

Fearful Majesty

This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.
The Little Golden Calf

The Little Golden Calf

Our edition of The Little Golden Calf, one of the greatest Russian satires ever, is the first new translation of this classic novel in nearly fifty years. It is also the first unabridged, uncensored English translation ever, and is 100% true to the original 1931 serial publication in the Russian journal 30 Dnei. Anne O. Fisher’s translation is copiously annotated, and includes an introduction by Alexandra Ilf, the daughter of one of the book’s two co-authors.
Russian Rules

Russian Rules

From the shores of the White Sea to Moscow and the Northern Caucasus, Russian Rules is a high-speed thriller based on actual events, terrifying possibilities, and some really stupid decisions.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955