Nov 18, 2024 17:00:00

Apple unilaterally removes independent reporting apps at the request of Russian media regulator Roskomnadzor

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), a US-funded radio station broadcasting from Eastern Europe to Russia, has had one of its apps removed from the Russian App Store. RFE/RL reports that this was done at the request of Roskomnadzor , Russia's media regulator.

Apple Removes Another RFE/RL App At Request Of Russian Regulator
https://www.rferl.org/a/33203321.html

Apple App Store приложение Радио Свобода
https://www.svoboda.org/a/apple-udalila-iz-rossiyskogo-appstore-prilozhenie-radio-svoboda-/33203467.html

Apple deletes US-funded RFE/RL news app from Russian App Store, news outlet says | Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/technology/apple-deletes-us-funded-rferl-news-app-russian-app-store-news-outlet-says-2024-11-15/

The app that was removed was 'Svoboda,' which RFE/RL operated for Russia and distributed content from local news sites Siberia.Realities and North.Realities.

According to RFE/RL, Roskomnadzor notified Apple that the app 'contains intelligence material from organizations whose activities in Russia are considered undesirable,' which is why it was removed.

RFE/RL is a nonprofit organization funded by the U.S. Congress and run by a grant from the Agency for Global Media, and was placed on Russia's list of 'undesirable organizations' in February 2024. RFE/RL CEO Steven Kaps accused the Russian government of viewing truthful reporting as an existential threat to the country.

Svoboda remains available outside of Russia, and the Svoboda app for Android is available in Russia via Google Play, or you can download the files directly from the Svoboda website.

Apple previously removed apps from RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service and Current Time, a Russian-language television and digital network run by RFE/RL. In addition to the RFE/RL app, Russia has also removed or hidden several Russian-language podcasts produced by independent journalists.

Russia has also imposed restrictions on YouTube, announcing that it will 'slow speeds by up to 70%' in July 2024, with some officials seeing this as an attempt to encourage people to use more strictly controlled Russian alternative content. However, it was confirmed that normal speeds appeared to have returned around November 14, 2024, and according to RFE/RL, on November 15 the Russian government said, 'President Putin is investigating the slowdown and disruption of YouTube.'