Download full text of the letter in PDF in russian, in english
2 September 2024
Open letter to Apple:
Stop censoring Runet
More than 50 human rights organisations, media outlets, IT companies, journalistic groups and public figures have signed a letter to Apple on the inadmissibility of censorship at the demand of the Russian authorities. The public outcry arose after the mass removal of VPN applications from the Russian App Store, including Red Shield VPN, Le VPN, HideMyName, PlanetVPN, AdGuard VPN, and many others. Apple explained it did so inas a response to a request from the Russian censorship authority (Roskomnadzor).
Human rights activists consider that this demonstrates Apple's disregard for the interests and rights of users of Appledevices to access information and protect private communications. This is especially evident in Russia, where VPN services remain a gateway to the world of free Internet in the context of strict military censorship and blocking of thousands of websites with information undesirable to the authorities.
Human rights defenders note that Apple in this case departs from its own standards and policies, which recognise ‘the critical importance of an open society where information flows freely’ and clearly state that ‘a commitment to freedom of information and freedom of expression is hand in hand with the privacy of our users’. Moreover, the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, Apple has reaffirmed its commitment to, require private companies to avoid contributing to adverse human rights impacts through their operations.
The Russian norms of information laws, Roskomnadzor appeals to in its demands for blocking, contradict both Apple's principles and rules and international human rights standards. The ECHR has repeatedly found that Russian legal regulations on restricting access to information are vague and clearly contradict the European Convention on Human Rights.
Sarkis Darbinyan, cyber lawyer, RKS Global expert, co-founder of Roskomsvoboda:
“‘By removing VPN services from its app store for Russians, Apple has chosen to undermine its policies that recognise the critical importance of an open society, freedom of information and expression.
Apple must realise the consequences of its actions and fix the situation immediately, otherwise it will become complicit in the Russian authorities' offensive against civil space in the country and the establishment of total censorship.
It will no longer be possible to dismiss the fact that Applle is simply complies with the country's laws, which obviously contradict both the company's own policy and international standards”.
Apple must realise the consequences of its actions and fix the situation immediately, otherwise it will become complicit in the Russian authorities' offensive against civil space in the country and the establishment of total censorship.
It will no longer be possible to dismiss the fact that Applle is simply complies with the country's laws, which obviously contradict both the company's own policy and international standards”.
Among the organisations that have signed the petition are: Access Now, Electronic Frontier Foundation, Human Rights Watch, RKS Global, Roskomsvoboda, GreatFire, Mass Media Defence Centre, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Amnezia VPN, Hidemyname VPN, Red Shield VPN, etc., as well as dozens of journalists and representatives of media outlets blocked in Russia.