San Francisco (AFP)

When Apple and Google give in to political pressure, the entire mobile internet falls into the hands of authoritarian regimes: this is the bitter observation made by human rights defenders on Friday after a major setback by technological giants, forced by Moscow to withdraw an application from the opposition.

The two Californian groups have removed from their download platforms a mobile application designed by the movement of imprisoned opponent Alexei Navalny to inform voters about the opposition candidates for President Vladimir Putin.

The iPhone maker ended up giving in to "harassment and threats of arrest" against local employees, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Google has also abdicated, "under unprecedented duress," according to another source.

Only users who had already downloaded it could continue to use it, but without updating.

"Application stores are the new frontier of censorship," said Natalia Krapiva, technology lawyer at the NGO Access Now.

"We are witnessing a new assault on digital rights, a new way to undermine infrastructure security and freedom of expression. This is very worrying."

As almost no anti-Putin candidate has been allowed to run for the legislative elections this weekend, supporters of Mr. Navalny have developed a strategy known as the "smart vote", intended to support the candidate best placed to put in difficulty that of the party in power, United Russia.

The application made it possible to know for which competitor to vote in each constituency.

In the past, this approach had met with some success, especially in Moscow in 2019.

- Strangulation -

In a country where the media are under great pressure and opponents threatened with prison or worse, "people regard the internet giants as the last spaces of freedom, they are grateful to them, they rely on them", emphasizes Natalia Krapiva, who is in regular contact with Russian organizations.

"They feel really betrayed by this sudden decision, the morning of the start of the elections, without any explanation," she continues.

The logos of Google and Apple Emmanuel DUNAND, Loic VENANCE AFP / Archives

The pressure had intensified in recent weeks.

Russian courts have fined Facebook, Twitter and Google for refusing to remove content, and Moscow has accused Google and Apple of "electoral interference".

But so far, the companies had resisted.

"This is a disastrous precedent for the whole world, not just for Russia," laments Natalia Krapiva.

For some activists, the problem wouldn't be so big if Apple and Google weren't so dominant.

Google's platform (Android) represents around 85% of mobile internet access in the world, and that of Apple (iOS) is around 15%.

Therefore, when they cede ground, they cede all the ground.

The Apple brand, moreover, does not allow downloading of applications outside of its App Store.

"The authoritarian functioning of the Apple platform makes it easy for autocratic regimes to annihilate democratic initiatives," argued in a statement Evan Greer of the online rights group Fight for the Future.

Unless the firm amends its regulations, "the App Store will remain, for the government, an easy means of strangling" any hint of dissent, he continues.

- Silence -

In theory, Silicon Valley companies have made it their mission to defend free speech and human rights, in addition to their financial goals.

The reality is more complicated, especially in China, where Western social networks are banned, in Russia but also in India, for example, where the government has introduced new rules to force platforms to communicate certain confidential information to it.

Russia's methods risk inspiring other states, observers warn.

"Look at emerging dictatorships, like Hungary: they can use these kinds of tools too," said Kathryn Stoner, professor of political science at Stanford University.

Technology companies will therefore "have to think about how they operate in these markets, and to what extent they accept to erode freedoms".

For Natalia Krapiva, by their presence, Google and Apple have responsibilities.

She regrets that the platforms do not express themselves officially, leaving the Russian authorities to claim victory.

"They should be telling the truth: the orders received violate international law and were carried out under duress," she tweeted.

"They are under assault from authoritarian governments, but they must not forget that millions of users depend on them."

© 2021 AFP