According to the station's announcement, the move came at the request of Russian media regulator Roskomnadzor, after discovering that the app contained content from an organization considered "undesirable" in Russia.
The removed app links to the websites Siberia.Realities and North.Realities, which provide content produced by RFE/RL - an organization that Russia has listed as a "foreign agent" since 2020 and banned completely in 2022. Russia claims that the station's content contains "disinformation" about the conflict in Ukraine.
RFE/RL was established in 1950 and was originally run by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Today, it is funded by the US Congress and operates under the direct supervision of the US government.
The removal of RFE/RL’s app from the App Store comes just a month after Apple removed Current Time from its Russian app store for failing to comply with the country’s regulations. This is seen as part of Moscow’s tough measures to control information and eliminate sources that do not align with the official line.
Apple’s move comes as Russia continues to impose strict measures on foreign media organizations. RFE/RL has denounced the move, calling it an attempt to “punish reporting the truth” and restrict freedom of information.
Tensions between Russia and international media organizations have increased since the start of the conflict in Ukraine, leading to stricter media regulations in Russia. Apps and content that do not comply with the rules, or are created by organizations that are deemed “undesirable,” face bans or removal.
Apple's compliance with Russia's request has sparked controversy, highlighting the growing pressure on global tech giants to strike a balance between complying with local laws and protecting freedom of information.
