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According to The Verge, Russia has removed all iOS apps from VK, Russia’s second largest tech company. This includes not only the fifth most popular social media app in Russia, VK, but also Mail.ru and VK Music. The decision was made in response to UK sanctions imposed on the Russian government.
VK confirmed that “some VK applications are blocked by Apple, so they are not available for download and update in the App Store,” according to a (Google translated) press release.
“Their core functionality will be familiar and stable… [but] there may be difficulties with notifications and payments. VK will continue to develop and support applications for iOS.”
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“These apps are being distributed by developers majority-owned or majority-controlled by one or more parties sanctioned by the UK government.
“In order to comply with these sanctions, Apple terminated the developer accounts associated with these apps, and the apps cannot be downloaded from any App Store, regardless of location.”
Apple confirmed that it removed the apps and shut down VK’s developer accounts. “These apps are being distributed by developers majority-owned or majority-controlled by one or more parties sanctioned by the UK government,” a spokesperson told The Verge.
“In order to comply with these sanctions, Apple terminated the developer accounts associated with these apps, and the apps cannot be downloaded from any App Store, regardless of location. Users who have already downloaded these apps may continue to use them.”
The UK government sanctioned Russian oligarchs earlier this week in response to the sham referendums in Ukraine. Executives from Gazprombank, a Russian bank with ties to VK, are on the list.
“Today’s sanctions will target those behind these sham elections, as well as those who continue to prop up the Russian regime’s war of aggression,” UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said in a statement.
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According to Russia’s Ministry of Digital Affairs, the reasons for the removal are being investigated. The apps are still available on Google Play; Engadget has contacted Google to inquire whether it plans to follow Apple’s lead.
In response to the Ukraine invasion, Apple halted sales of all of its products in Russia earlier this year, while also limiting Apple Pay and pulling apps from outlets such as RT and Sputnik.
A Russian law went into effect last year, requiring Samsung, Apple, and other manufacturers to pre-install Russian apps such as VK and Yandex on devices sold in the country.
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