Russian citizens told "switch to Android" after Apple blocks key Russian apps

Apple's 2025 App Store Transparency Report indicates Russia led the world in requesting app removals from the App Store in 2025, with 1,213 applications targeted. Vietnam followed with 335 requests. Many of the blocked applications were VPNs intended to bypass Russia's internet censorship. The Russian government's actions suggest an effort to create a controlled domestic internet environment. While the government seeks to ban certain applications, it aims to protect domestic platforms like VKontakte, a social media service similar to Facebook, and the Max messaging app. The Max app has been described as a surveillance tool, with reports detailing its extensive monitoring capabilities, including a neural network for eavesdropping.