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As I’m traveling to Ukraine this week for OFTWv2.0, I can’t stop thinking about the comments on last week’s edition. security byte Defending VPN apps that still exist in the Russian App Store. While nearly all apps from legitimate providers in the country have been removed, Russian users can still find a surplus of VPN options that claim to offer secure encryption and private browsing. The only question is–Really?
Last week, I covered recent reports alleging that Apple complied with Russian censorship demands by removing nearly 60 VPN apps from the Russian App Store last summer. This has been close to 100 since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict. The move was seen as allowing the Russian government to control internet access and limiting its citizens’ ability to circumvent the restrictions. Major VPN services like ExpressVPN and NordVPN have also been removed.
Critics say Apple’s actions contribute to censorship and undermine digital freedoms, raising concerns about the company’s commitment to privacy and human rights in authoritarian regions.
However, Apple has long emphasized that, even in disagreements, it is obligated to follow the laws of the countries in which it operates and keep the App Store online so residents can access the apps they need. Ta.
In response, we received dozens of comments claiming that there are still many VPN options available to users. Someone sent me a screenshot of Russia’s top free apps. This is alarming on many levels.
As Apple continues to comply with Russia’s demands to remove certain VPNs from the App Store, those left behind can be unreliable and pose a significant risk to users who believe they are anonymous. It is natural to think so.
Many of these low-quality VPN apps log user data, including browsing history and IP addresses, and sell it to third parties such as advertisers, or are forced to hand it over to governments. We’ve seen that before. In authoritarian regimes like Russia, some VPNs can act as tools of surveillance rather than protection.
For many people in the country who want to use a VPN to access blocked pages and keep their searches private, this could put them at risk of jail time. Additionally, weak or outdated encryption protocols commonly found in these services expose users to cyber-attacks, where hackers and malicious actors can intercept sensitive information such as passwords and financial data.
We strongly recommend that users in countries with strict censorship laws thoroughly vet their VPN providers to ensure they are independent and adhere to strict no-logs policies. Relying on a VPN approved by the App Store is not enough.
more: Apple pulls dozens of VPN apps from Russia’s App Store
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Security Bite is a weekly security-focused column on 9to5Mac. Every Sunday, Arin Waichulis provides opinions and insights on data privacy, uncovers vulnerabilities, and shines a light on new threats within Apple’s vast ecosystem of more than 2 billion active devices.
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