In Russia, access to the App Store and Apple’s website has sharply declined

In Russia, access to the App Store and Apple’s website has sharply declined

The internet censorship monitoring service OONI recorded a sharp decline in Russia in access to Apple’s app store and its official website, Verstka noted.

Access to the App Store began to fall on July 18, when the number of anomalous and failed connections to the site rose to 37.7%; on July 19, the figure reached 39%. Earlier this year, the number of anomalous connections to the App Store from Russia did not exceed 14-16%.

According to OONI data, the level of restrictions on Apple’s website in Russia rose sharply on July 17, when the percentage of anomalous connections reached 66.7%; on July 18 it was 65.7%, and on July 19 — 68%. Earlier this year, the percentage of anomalies did not exceed 10.2%.

In other countries, for example the US, the UK, and Germany, OONI data shows no such trend.

🟦A rise in anomalies in OONI may indicate partial access restrictions imposed by the Russian authorities. For example, according to the service, access to Telegram and WhatsApp, which are blocked in Russia, is currently reduced by 90% and 84% respectively.

🟦Apple previously removed VK apps from its store, including the Max messenger, as well as Odnoklassniki and Mail.ru Mail. The American company explained this decision as compliance with sanctions imposed against Russia.

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