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Apple removes Current Time from the App Store at the request of Russia

2024-10-19 20:45:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Apple has informed Radio Free Europe (RE:L) that it has removed the Current Time app from the Russian version of the App Store at the request of Roskomnadzor, Russia's media regulatory agency.

In a letter to REL, Apple clarified that the reason for removing the app is that it contained content that is considered illegal in Russia and material from an organization that the Russian authorities have declared "undesirable".

Current Time is a Russian-language television network and digital platform led by REL.

REL, an independent media organization funded by the US Congress through the United States Agency for Global Media, broadcasts in 27 languages ??in 23 countries of the world, mainly in regions where media freedom is limited.

Russian-language REL projects have come under increased pressure from the Government, especially after Moscow launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

REL has not yet commented on Apple's decision.

After Moscow launched its full occupation of Ukraine in February 2022, Roskomnadzor blocked REL websites, including those of the Russian Service known as Radio Svoboda and Current Time.

On March 6, 2022, REL suspended work in Russia, following tough measures by the Russian Government, including a request from Russia's Federal Tax Service to declare the Russian branch of the organization bankrupt.

According to REL, these measures were the culmination of years of efforts by the Russian Government to obstruct his work.

Russia's Ministry of Justice officially declared REL an "undesirable" organization in February 2024.

Apple's move to comply with the Russian authorities' request is part of a broader trend. The US tech giant removed 25 VPN services from the App Store in July and another 98 in September.

These measures have caused concern among independent media, NGOs and civil society activists, who have accused Apple of helping suppress free speech in Russia. They have called on Apple to refrain from actions that violate international human rights standards and restore blocked VPN apps.