- In compliance with a request from Russian authorities, Samsung has removed the AdGuard VPN app from its Galaxy Store.
- In 2024, Apple also took down AdGuard VPN as part of a broader initiative to eliminate numerous VPN applications.
- At present, more than 100 VPN applications have been blocked on the Apple App Store, and at least 50 are missing from the Google Play Store.
In a move that raises serious concerns regarding online privacy, Samsung has acquiesced to a directive from the Russian government, leading to the withdrawal of the AdGuard VPN app from its Galaxy Store. This action underscores the Kremlin’s ongoing campaign to curtail access to VPN services, which have become essential for many individuals striving to maintain online freedom.
The implications are troubling: the removal of over 100 VPN apps from the Russian Apple App Store signifies a significant decline in digital privacy rights, coinciding with escalating state control over internet activities. This trend continues to unfold, following Apple’s earlier decision to take AdGuard VPN offline in early 2024 as part of a larger crackdown.
While Apple has aggressively responded to government pressures, Google appears to be holding its ground, though reports indicate that approximately 53 VPN services have become unavailable on the Russian Google Play Store. Until this recent development, AdGuard VPN had remained largely unaffected by such restrictions.
“A regrettable development”
Denis Vyazovoy, Chief Product Officer at AdGuard, expressed his dismay over the app’s removal. He told Nova Play, “The app has indeed been removed from the Samsung Store in Russia, and we see it as a regrettable development.”
Samsung sent a formal notification to AdGuard, outlining the situation: “Due to a request from the Russian government, Russia has been removed from the sales territories. This app is prohibited by the Russian government,” the message elaborated, highlighting this shift in policy.
AdGuard had previously faced a similar fate with the Apple App Store, alongside many other prominent VPN services such as NordVPN and ExpressVPN. Nevertheless, the company has confirmed that its app remains accessible on the Google Play Store in Russia for the time being.
The impact of this restriction chiefly affects users within Russia, while AdGuard VPN continues to be available in other regions across the globe, illustrating a stark disparity in access. The app remains functional on various international platforms.
Vyazovoy voiced his apprehensions about the broader implications of such removals, stating, “We view this as part of a disturbing trend to limit access to tools that help individuals secure their privacy and uphold an open internet.” This tightening of controls follows a controversial law enacted in March 2024 that criminalizes sharing information about circumventing state-imposed internet restrictions.
This legal backdrop has increasingly empowered Russian censors, pushing major tech companies into compliance with government demands. Experts argue that these corporations must prioritize human rights and resist succumbing to censorship, as compliance only strengthens governmental control over free expression.
AdGuard remains steadfast in its commitment, working to maintain its services through alternative channels and actively seeking new avenues to connect with users despite the existing limitations.
For Galaxy device users, the AdGuard VPN app is still available on the Google Play Store, and individuals are encouraged to visit the official website for direct downloads of the latest and most secure versions.
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