Russian authorities escalate digital censorship by demanding removal of VPN apps, while Google largely resists Putin’s demands to restrict Russians’ access to uncensored information.
At a Glance
- Russian censorship body Roskomnadzor demanded Google remove 212 VPN apps from its Play Store
- Google has largely resisted these demands, only removing 6 of the targeted VPN apps
- Russia also requested removal of over 83,000 URLs related to the Ukraine war, LGBTQ+ content, and other sensitive topics
- Using VPNs remains legal in Russia, though promoting methods to bypass censorship was criminalized in 2023
- Apple has been more compliant with Russian demands, removing at least 60 VPN apps in 2024
Russia’s Digital Iron Curtain
Russia’s federal censorship body Roskomnadzor has intensified its campaign against digital freedoms by targeting Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) – tools that allow Russians to access uncensored information. Between March 12 and April 1, 2025, the agency sent Google 214 app takedown requests specifically targeting 212 VPN and similar censorship circumvention tools. This represents a significant escalation in the Kremlin’s ongoing efforts to control information access within Russia’s borders, particularly regarding sensitive topics like the Ukraine conflict.
The investigation by GreatFire’s App Censorship Project revealed not only the targeting of VPNs but also a broader censorship agenda. Roskomnadzor simultaneously demanded Google remove tens of thousands of URLs covering war-related content, LGBTQ+ issues, poetry, songs, and other materials deemed problematic by Russian authorities. The scale of these requests demonstrates Russia’s determination to establish comprehensive control over its citizens’ digital environment and limit access to outside perspectives.
Google’s Resistance vs. Apple’s Compliance
In a notable display of corporate resistance, Google has largely rebuffed the Russian government’s demands. Of the 212 VPN apps specifically targeted by Roskomnadzor, only 6 were made unavailable in Russia’s Play Store. The investigation found that 346 out of 399 VPN apps remain accessible to Russian users through Google’s platform. This stance contrasts sharply with Apple’s approach, which removed at least 60 VPN apps from its App Store in 2024 upon receiving similar requests.
“The evidence from Lumen Database is unequivocal: the Russian government is waging an all-out war on VPNs and all other tools enabling Russian citizens to bypass censorship and surveillance.” – Benjamin Ismail.
Investigative journalist Maria Kolomychenko uncovered that Google received at least 47 VPN removal orders starting March 12. While some popular services like NordVPN and CyberGhost are unavailable in Russia’s Play Store, others including Proton VPN, Mullvad, and Amnezia VPN remain accessible. ExpressVPN has been unavailable since sometime between March and September 2024, and Avast VPN ceased operations in Russia following the Ukraine war, demonstrating varying approaches by VPN providers to the Russian market.
The Legal Framework Behind Russia’s VPN Crackdown
Russia’s assault on VPNs operates within a legal framework designed to restrict information flow. While using a VPN itself is not criminalized in Russia, a law passed in March 2023 made it illegal to spread information about circumventing internet restrictions. This creates a troubling scenario where the tools remain technically legal, but sharing knowledge about how to access or use them carries criminal penalties – effectively limiting their spread through fear and legal intimidation.
“These requests clearly demonstrate that the Russian authorities have abandoned all pretense of restraint in digital repression.” – Benjamin Ismail.
Digital rights advocates have noted inconsistencies in Roskomnadzor’s takedown requests, including targeting apps that were already removed. This suggests a scattershot approach to digital control, with Russian authorities casting a wide net in hopes of capturing as many circumvention tools as possible. The lack of precision highlights the urgency with which the regime is pursuing its censorship agenda, particularly as the war in Ukraine continues and domestic dissent remains a concern for the Kremlin.
Implications for Russian Citizens and Digital Freedom
For ordinary Russians seeking uncensored information, the situation remains precarious but not hopeless. Tech experts advise users to change app store locations or utilize alternative sideloading options to access VPN services. The relative availability of VPNs through Google’s Play Store provides a crucial lifeline to outside information, though this could change if the tech giant faces increased pressure or legal consequences for non-compliance with Russian demands.
“Google’s actions will critically shape the effectiveness of Russian government censorship.” – Benjamin Ismail.
Digital rights organizations including GreatFire are calling for increased scrutiny of tech companies’ interactions with authoritarian regimes, emphasizing the need for independent investigations, legislative measures for corporate accountability, and regulations ensuring global accountability for U.S.-based tech companies. The battle over VPNs in Russia represents a critical front in the broader struggle between state control and individual digital freedoms, with implications extending far beyond Russia’s borders.
