Apple has removed the Current Time app, an independent Russian-language media service, from the Russian App Store after being directed by Roskomnadzor, the country’s media regulatory body. The app, operated by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), was flagged by Russian authorities for containing "undesirable" content, which led to its removal. The media outlet, funded by a US government grant through the US Agency for Global Media, offers independent news to countries where media freedom is restricted, including Russia.
The removal of Current Time highlights the growing suppression of independent news outlets within Russia, particularly since the country invaded Ukraine in 2022. While Apple has faced criticism for complying with such governmental orders, the company maintains that it must operate within the local laws of the nations it serves.
This latest development comes as no surprise, given the wider context of escalating governmental control over media in Russia. Prior to the app’s removal, Current Time's over-the-air broadcasts in Russia were halted after the government used the Federal Tax Service to pressure the organization financially. With the suspension of those broadcasts, the app became one of the last available options for Russian citizens to access independent news coverage.
Apple's removal of the app has left Current Time without a viable platform in Russia, depriving millions of citizens of access to uncensored, reliable news. RFE/RL’s mission to provide independent journalism to more than 23 countries, especially those where freedom of the press is suppressed, now faces significant challenges in Russia.
The move raises broader concerns about the future of independent media in Russia as the government intensifies efforts to block access to news outlets that challenge official narratives. With limited channels left for reporting on the Ukraine conflict and other critical issues, Russian citizens may find themselves increasingly isolated from external perspectives.
This marks another step in Russia’s broader campaign to control the narrative by blocking critical voices. As the pressure mounts on international tech companies, the difficult balance between obeying local regulations and supporting free speech remains a complex and evolving challenge.
