Apple has removed Russia's state-backed Max messenger from its App Store, citing compliance with sanctions. The app, developed by VK whose CEO is sanctioned, lacks encryption and has been pushed by Moscow for government and civil servant communications. This move follows previous removals of Russian apps due to Western sanctions.

Moscow has for months been pushing Russians to install Max -- a super-app that lacks encryption and that critics say could be used to track people.

Apple has removed Russia’s state-backed messaging app Max from its App Store and cut off push notifications for calls and messages to iPhone users.