Russian government forces Apple to remove more independent news apps

Apple provides the App Store in every market possible, providing access to as much software as possible. However, part of that responsibility is abiding by local government rules. This means Apple regularly has to choose between delisting certain apps to avoid being forced to close the entire App Store in those markets.

The latest example occurs in Russia. Apple was quick to exit Russia as a retailer and mobile payments provider following Russian’s invasion of Ukraine. Meanwhile, the app listing fight continues. RadioFreeEurope Radio Liberty shares their experience:

U.S. technology giant Apple has notified RFE/RL that it has removed another of its apps following a request from Russia’s media regulator, Roskomnadzor.

The newly removed RFE/RL app is that of the Russian Service, which in turn hosts the websites of its regional projects Siberia.Realities and North.Realities.

Apple had previously removed the apps for RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz Service and Current Time, the Russian-language TV and digital network run by RFE/RL.

Roskomnadzor notified Apple that the Russian Service app contains materials from an organization whose activities in Russia have been declared “undesirable.”

RFE/RL adds that Apple has also “removed or hid several Russian-language podcasts produced by independent journalists.” As with the App Store, the choice is abiding by local government demands or removing the Podcasts catalog in the region.

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