Russia has escalated its campaign against online privacy by ordering Google to remove VPN apps, intensifying a broader censorship drive targeting free speech and war coverage.
At a Glance
- Russia issued 214 takedown requests for VPN apps
- Google resisted most demands; Apple previously complied
- 53 VPNs, including NordVPN, now blocked in Russia
- Over 83,000 URLs targeted under VPN law
- Global advocates call for corporate accountability
Stringent Measures in Russian Internet Censorship
The Russian government has dramatically increased its crackdown on digital privacy tools, issuing 214 takedown requests targeting VPN-related apps between March 12 and April 1, 2025. As reported by AppCensorship.org, the effort marks a sweeping escalation in Roskomnadzor’s bid to restrict online access.
While Apple previously complied with such censorship orders, Google has shown resistance—removing only a fraction of the apps flagged. Still, the availability of major VPN services in Russia is waning. As TechRadar confirmed in a recent report, 53 VPNs, including popular providers like NordVPN and CyberGhost, are no longer available on the Google Play Store.
Watch Reclaim The Net’s video report on the takedown orders at Russia VPN crackdown escalates as Google resists censorship.
Suppression of War Analysis and Social Content
Beyond targeting apps, Russia is also aggressively censoring content tied to the Ukraine war, LGBTQ+ rights, and other politically sensitive topics. Roskomnadzor issued takedown orders for over 83,000 URLs using powers granted under its expansive “VPN law,” according to Reclaim The Net.
Investigative journalist Maria Kolomychenko reports that at least 47 additional VPN removal orders have been filed since March. Analysts note a troubling pattern in which not all removals are publicly acknowledged—raising concerns about self-censorship by app developers under political pressure.
Google’s Role in the Resistance
While Google has not fully complied with Russia’s demands, critics argue the company’s response lacks transparency. Digital rights groups are calling on tech giants to do more to resist authoritarian censorship. Benjamin Ismail, program director at GreatFire, told AppCensorship.org, “The Russian government is waging an all-out war on VPNs and all other tools enabling Russian citizens to bypass censorship and surveillance.”
International advocates have urged independent investigations into platform takedowns and greater legislative pressure on companies to uphold digital freedoms. In a climate of rising digital authoritarianism, industry leaders face mounting scrutiny for how they handle censorship orders from repressive regimes.
A Global Warning on Digital Rights
Russia’s VPN crackdown is more than a domestic policy—it’s a cautionary tale about the fragility of digital rights under state pressure. By targeting both apps and content, the Kremlin is using regulatory muscle to reshape the online space into one of compliance and surveillance.
As the world watches Google’s next move, the broader question persists: will tech platforms stand firm for free expression, or will profit and pressure drive them to silence dissent? The answer may shape the future of digital resistance well beyond Russia’s borders.
