Apple removes VK apps Russian criticism and reply

Jun 25

Vremya reports that Apple removed VK Group apps from the App Store, affecting downloads, updates and familiar notifications and services. VK and the Russian authorities say the company is not sanctioned; the report says Apple invokes sanctions without specifying which. An unidentified voice reads the Digital Development Ministry's criticism, unfair-competition allegation and request that the Federal Antimonopoly Service examine the removal and alleged failure to provide a search-choice screen and Russian app store. Peskov questions Apple's reliability, referring to earlier Russian-app removals. Andrey Svintsov predicts technical workarounds and replacement suppliers; Elina Sidorenko interprets the restrictions as an effort to curb Russian platforms and advocates domestic development. The correspondent endorses those criticisms. Their sanctions, legal and motive claims are attributed; the report supplies no completed FAS finding or restoration of the apps.

Apple removes VK Group applications from its App Store, affecting downloads and updates. Vremya says Apple invokes unspecified sanctions while VK and Russian authorities say the company is not sanctioned. The report retains Peskov's criticism of Apple's reliability, a ministry protest, Svintsov's prediction of workarounds and replacement suppliers, and Sidorenko's interpretation of the restrictions. The sanctions and motive claims are attributed, and no restoration is reported.