Russian officials have demanded that Apple explain why a number of apps related to the internet and technology company VKwere removed from the App Store without any “warning or explanation.” The Kremlin demanded an explanation after VK itself expressed concern.
Removing VK apps from the App Store
The company says Apple's removal of the apps limits "access to popular services used every day by tens of millions of people."
The apps that Russians no longer have access to include social networks, video platforms and messaging apps. The company says it views Apple's actions as "unjustified and unacceptable."
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VK, one of the largest technology companies in Russia, has expressed concern about the impact this decision will have on the daily lives of its users. It argues that its apps are vital for Russian citizens to communicate and entertain themselves and that removing them from the App Store could have serious consequences.
The company has issued a public statement calling on Apple to reconsider its decision and reinstate the apps to the App Store.
Russia vs. Apple and Western tech companies
This situation comes at a time of heightened tensions between Russia and Western technology companies, with the Kremlin having repeatedly expressed concern about the influence these companies exert on Russian society.
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The Russian government is stepping up its efforts to create a more controlled digital ecosystem by actively promoting the use of MAX, a state-backed messaging platform. According to recent reports, the app is now pre-installed on all smartphones and tablets officially sold in Russia.
However, Moscow's plan encounters a significant obstacle: iPhones been outside the official distribution network for four years.
Apple stopped selling iPhones, iPads and other products in Russia in March 2022, just days after the Russian invasion of Ukraine began. At the same time, the American company closed its online store in the country, completely suspending its retail operations.
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Despite Apple's official withdrawal, iPhones have not disappeared from the Russian market. Instead, their availability continues through the so-called "parallel trade," or gray market. The devices are imported through third countries and resold by local retailers, allowing Russian consumers to acquire Apple's latest models without the company's official presence in the country.
The removal of VK apps from the App Store is seen by many as a move that could further worsen relations between Russia and Apple.
