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.
