WHAT JUST HAPPENED? Two major mobile apps were recently removed from Apple's Russian App Store, making the services difficult to access on local iPhones. Moscow authorities are now asking the US company to explain its decision, as users are being encouraged to switch to Android devices to continue accessing the restricted apps.
Russian tech giant VK is blaming Apple for cutting online ties with millions of local users. The Moscow-based company recently said its apps were removed from the official App Store for iOS devices without warning.
VK is primarily active in Russia, providing several services to users including email, social networking, and e-commerce. The company said it is not subject to Western sanctions, adding that international law experts have confirmed the "pristine" status of its business. Apple is aware of this, VK claimed, but nonetheless decided to "unilaterally" remove the VK social network and other apps from the App Store.
VK said Apple has effectively downgraded the internet experience for millions of Russian users. The apps can no longer be installed on new devices, and previously installed apps no longer receive push notifications or other incoming messages.
VK "considers these actions by Apple against Russian users to be unmotivated and unacceptable."
