VPN app downloads on both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store have massively increased in Russia since the conflict with Ukraine started last month or on Feb. 24.
PORTUGAL - 2019/12/20: In this photo illustration a VPN logo seen displayed on a smartphone.
Russia Limits Internet Access
As per a news story by 9to5Mac, the government of Russia has since been limiting access to the internet.
In fact, according to a recent report by The Guardian, the Russian government has already confirmed that it has completely blocked access to Facebook.
On the other hand, the communications regulator of the Russian country, Roskomnadzor, also confirmed that it has restricted access to another social media giant, Twitter.
Some reports are also saying that the Russian communications regulator has also blocked access to Western news outlets, such as BBC.
VPN App Downloads on Google Play Store, Apple App Store
That said, those who are in Russia no longer have access to Facebook, while some of them might not be able to fully access Twitter as well.
As such, VPN apps have now become the topmost downloaded apps on the Apple App Store in the Russian territory.
9to5Mac noted in the same news story that VPN apps help their users unblock or bypass any restrictions on various websites on the internet.
At the same time, VPN apps also allow those who are using it to surf the internet anonymously to avoid giving away personal information online.
Hence, it would not be surprising that online folks in the Russian nation have resorted to VPN apps, which is evident in its recent massive increase in downloads.
VPN Downloads Climbs
As per a report by an analyst firm that goes by the name AppFigures, VPN app downloads in the Russian nation have seen a massive growth since Feb. 24.
Last Tuesday or on March 1, the most popular VPN apps in both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store in Russia had already garnered a whopping 1,200 percent increase in downloads.
On top of that, the March 1 downloads of VPN apps in Russia have already reached half a million or 500,000. It is a massive growth when compared to its daily average in the country, which is only approximately 10,000 downloads a day way back in Feb.
Read Also: Google Temporarily Deactivates the Editing Option on Maps of Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus
Apple App Store Blocked?
According to a news story by Computing UK, a security expert, Runa Sandvik, reported that the Russian government has already blocked access to the Apple App Stores.
This illustration photo shows the Apple app store logo reflected from an iPhone onto the back of an iMac in Los Angeles, August 26, 2021. - Apple has agreed to loosen payment restrictions on its App Store, a major change announced in a settlement with small developers as the US technology giant faces growing scrutiny and legal challenges over its tightly controlled online marketplace. The change will allow small developers to inform their customers of alternative payment options beyond the official App Store.
Sandvik noted that the latest move prevents users from downloading new apps on their devices, such as social media platforms and VPNs.
However, 9to5Mac said in its report that both Google Play and App Store are still accessible in the region.
Related Article: Best Working VPNs For Netflix in 2022 | Here's Why You Should Buy Them or Not
This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by Teejay Boris
