ITV News
Apple removes VPN and proxy apps from Russian App Store
Move coincides with Telegram disruptions as Russia tightens internet controls.
MUMBAI: When the digital walls go up, even the cleverest escape routes can find themselves quietly blocked and Apple has just helped seal a few more in Russia. Apple has removed several VPN and proxy applications from its App Store in Russia as authorities intensify efforts to control internet access. The delisting includes apps such as Streisand, V2Box, v2RayTun and Happ Proxy Utility, which were popular among advanced users for setting up private proxy connections and bypassing restrictions.
These tools differed from mainstream VPN services like NordVPN or Surfshark by allowing manual server configuration and custom routing, making them harder for regulators to detect and block. Reports indicate the apps have been removed not only in Russia but also in some other regions, though similar tools remain available to Android users via Google Play.
Existing users who already have the apps installed can continue using them, but they will no longer receive updates, including important security patches or new features.
The removals align with a broader regulatory push in Russia to tighten control over online content. In recent years, authorities have introduced laws targeting services that help users circumvent restrictions. Enforcement now appears to be shifting towards tools with custom configurations, limiting alternative paths to unrestricted internet.
The move comes alongside ongoing disruptions to Telegram, a widely used messaging platform in Russia. Officials have indicated improvements in detecting VPN traffic, which may be contributing to these service interruptions.
For many Russian iPhone users, the combination of app removals and service disruptions signals growing limitations on internet access. With fewer tools available, bypassing restrictions could become significantly more challenging as enforcement continues to expand.
In a country where staying connected often requires creative workarounds, this latest development suggests the authorities and now Apple are making those workarounds a little harder to find.
ITV News
Amazon nears $9bn Globalstar deal to boost satellite push: Report
Talks signal push to rival Starlink as spectrum and scale come into play
NEW YORK: Amazon is in advanced talks to acquire satellite telecom firm Globalstar in a deal reportedly valued at around $9 billion, according to a report by Bloomberg, signalling a major push to strengthen its space-based connectivity ambitions.
If finalised, the deal would give Amazon immediate access to Globalstar’s satellite infrastructure, including dozens of low Earth orbit satellites and more than 20 ground stations worldwide. It would also bring valuable wireless spectrum, particularly the L-band and S-band frequencies, into Amazon’s fold, assets considered critical for enabling direct-to-device satellite communication.
The move is widely seen as a strategic shortcut for Amazon’s Project Kuiper, which has faced delays due to limited rocket launch capacity. By acquiring an operational network, Amazon could effectively bridge the gap between development and deployment, accelerating its entry into the fast-growing satellite connectivity market.
The acquisition would also sharpen Amazon’s competitive edge against SpaceX and its Starlink service, which currently dominates the low Earth orbit satellite internet space. With Globalstar’s reported base of over 800,000 subscribers, Amazon could quickly scale its presence and move closer to offering seamless connectivity, even in remote or underserved regions.
However, the deal is not without complications. Apple, which holds an estimated 20 per cent stake in Globalstar, could play a pivotal role in shaping the outcome. The iPhone maker currently relies on Globalstar’s satellites for its Emergency SOS via satellite feature, raising questions about how existing partnerships would be managed in the event of a takeover.
Beyond the immediate deal, the potential acquisition underscores a broader shift in the space economy. What was once an experimental frontier is rapidly consolidating, with tech giants racing to build integrated ecosystems that combine satellites, spectrum and services.
For consumers, the implications could be significant. Increased competition may accelerate the rollout of satellite-enabled mobile connectivity, bringing the promise of always-on coverage closer to reality.
For Amazon, the message is clear. The race to connect the planet is heating up, and it is looking to move from playing catch-up to setting the pace.
