- Apple removes AdGuard’s TrustTunnel client from the Russian App Store
- Open source tool has no built-in circumvention capabilities
- Russia expands crackdown as Google resists similar attacks
AdGuard’s open source VPN client TrustTunnel has been removed from the Russian version of the Apple App Store.
The app, which was removed from the Russian App Store this week, is developed by AdGuard and serves as a client app that allows users to connect to VPN servers. However, it alone does not provide built-in circumvention capabilities.
As reported by the provider, Russian authorities successfully requested its removal as part of their broader effort to limit access to tools (including the best VPN services) that can help residents circumvent internet restrictions.
This follows a pattern of Apple removing VPN apps from its Russian store. In 2024 alone, the tech giant delisted at least 60 VPN apps, targeting several well-known providers.
By contrast, Google has so far mostly resisted similar requests, leaving Android users with more options for the time being. However, pressure on all platforms continues to grow as the Russian government tightens its controls over internet access.
The removal of TrustTunnel: why a simple client was banned
The removal of TrustTunnel marks a change in the way authorities approach internet infrastructure.
On April 28, 2026, AdGuard claimed to have received an email from Apple notifying them that the app would be removed because it “includes content that is illegal in Russia.” The notice cited a complaint from Roskomnadzor, Russia’s federal media regulator, reminding developers of their responsibility to comply with local laws.
This is not AdGuard’s first encounter with Russian censorship. Its flagship AdGuard VPN app was one of dozens of VPN apps removed from the Russian App Store in July 2024.
In particular, AdGuard clarified that TrustTunnel is strictly a “client application.” It does not contain servers and does not offer built-in bypass capabilities. Users need to configure it manually with the external server details. Despite this neutrality, regulators viewed the simplified interface as a tool that lowers the barrier to entry to bypass state filters.
The removal of the app leaves iOS users in Russia without a key open source option for managing VPN connections. This, after removing multiple proxy tools and VPN clients that allow users to connect to their own private servers or proxy settings, in March.
These incidents highlight a broader strategy: Authorities are now targeting the tools that enable connections, not just the full-featured VPN services themselves. Even “neutral” software is being swept away, reducing the number of privacy tools available to ordinary users.
Russia steps up crackdown on VPNs
Beyond removing individual apps, Russia’s government is taking steps to tighten control over how its citizens access the Internet.
Reports suggest that authorities are considering a “whitelist” of approved VPNs, which would legalize only state-authorized services and criminalize others. This plan aims to balance business needs with state control, but faces delays due to technical obstacles.
Additionally, proposals have emerged to tax VPN traffic, which could make privacy tools prohibitively expensive for ordinary people.
Surveillance risks are also increasing. Digital rights groups warn that major Russian apps are increasingly capable of detecting VPN use, allowing entities to identify and attack users who are trying to hide their activity.
As the government narrows legal avenues for secure connections, the window for open Internet access in Russia continues to close.
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