Russian YouTube alternative bans iOS app downloads everywhere but Russia

Rutube, Russia’s alternative to YouTube has blocked app downloads in the Apple App Store for all users not located in the Russian Federation.

In a statement on Telegram, Rutube said that, “such a decision was made so that Russian-speaking users of the service, most of whom reside in Russia, could download the Rutube app on the iPhone.”

Users outside Russia can still access the web version of Rutube, and those who've already downloaded the app will most likely have access to updates.

• On August 15, Rutube reported that Apple had demanded that it hide content from Russian state media in its iOS-application, or make it available for Russian users only. Apple gave the company two weeks to make a decision, threatening to remove the application from the App Store.
• Many Russian state-owned media outlets and pro-Kremlin bloggers whose channels are blocked by YouTube are available on Rutube. This includes Channel One, Russia 1, NTV, RT, and propagandist Vladimir Solovyov’s channel.