The restrictions on the internet and how big tech companies are exacerbating censorship, according to experts.
Apple continues to remove VPN applications following Russia's orders.
Tech giants have been under scrutiny for a long time due to their collaboration with authoritarian governments to censor information on the internet. A recent investigation has revealed how Google has increased its cooperation with countries such as Russia, China, Iran, and Afghanistan to address censorship requests.
According to data from Surfshark, global content removal orders directed at Google have more than doubled in the last decade, with the Kremlin responsible for over 60% of these requests between 2020 and 2024. Sarkis Darbinyan, co-founder of the Russian digital rights group Roskomsvoboda, noted that Google's approach to authoritarian censors is more favorable compared to its main competitor, Apple. Darbinyan explained that Google is resisting demands from Roskomnadzor to remove VPN apps from the Google Play Store, while the situation is less favorable for Apple users.
VPN apps are crucial for users living in environments with internet restrictions, as they enable bypassing government-imposed blocks. The Russian administration has intensified these efforts, increasing its capabilities to block VPNs, implementing laws that prohibit tactics to circumvent censorship, and seeking collaboration from tech firms. So far, around 100 VPN applications have been removed from Apple's App Store in Russia, with more than 60 of them removed just between July and October of last year. One of the most notable cases was that of Amnezia VPN, developed by Roskomsvoboda to counter the heavy censorship in the country. Its developers received a late-night notice from Apple, indicating that the app had been flagged for removal by Roskomnadzor and was deleted in less than three hours.
Although Google has also complied with Kremlin orders, such as the recent crackdown on content on YouTube, Darbinyan has noted that Google has been more willing to find balanced solutions compared to Apple. While Google and Meta have restored deleted content after interactions with digital rights defenders, Apple has maintained a more formal and opaque approach, providing no information about what it removes.
The role of tech giants is increasingly crucial in promoting or restricting freedoms on the internet globally. David Peterson, CEO of Proton VPN, commented that these companies now act as the guardians of digital freedom, and with this power comes the responsibility to protect freedom of expression and combat censorship. The situation in Russia has shown how different responses to a blocking order have led to significant distinctions between Android/Windows users and iPhone/Mac users.
Transparency in handling content removal requests is key. The investigation highlights that Google’s “opaque” process for removing content and lack of comprehensive data has raised criticisms about the control exerted by large tech companies. Since 2011, U.S. authorities have issued over 12,000 removal requests to Google, but the company has only published details of fewer than 40 of them.
Experts agree that tech giants not only can but must refuse certain content removal requests. Darbinyan argues that these companies should review their global policies regarding content removal, considering not only local laws but also international human rights standards. In his opinion, when repressive laws contradict international norms, requests should be denied.
Additionally, tech giants should stop prioritizing their business interests over human rights, as a single decision can drastically affect the lives of many people.
