Apple informed Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) on Friday that it would remove all the station’s apps from Russia’s App Store in response to a request from Russia’s federal censor Roskomnadzor. .
According to RFE/RL, Apple said in a letter to the U.S.-backed agency that it was removing the app because it “contains content that is illegal in Russia and does not comply with App Review Guidelines.” Then he said. The statement also reportedly noted that the app contains material from organizations declared “undesirable” by Russian authorities.
As of Thursday, all but one broadcaster’s apps were still available on the Russian App Store.
RFE/RL is an independent U.S. media company funded by a grant from the U.S. Congress through the U.S. Agency for Global Media. The company operates in 23 countries, primarily in places where press freedom is restricted.
After the start of Russia’s all-out war against Ukraine, Russian authorities blocked all RFE/RL projects, along with many other independent media outlets, including Meduza. In February 2024, the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office declared RFE/RL an “undesirable organization” and banned its activities throughout Russia.
Smartphone apps are one of the easiest remaining ways for Russians to access independent journalism amid the Kremlin’s crackdown on reporting. Meduza’s app currently remains in the Russian App Store and works without a VPN in Russia.
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