Apple has deleted VK’s iOS apps from its global App Store. VK is the technology company that runs VKontakte, Russia’s answer to Facebook. The second-largest internet corporation in Russia, VK, formerly known as VKontakte, is only surpassed by Yandex, which offers services comparable to those offered by Google. It is also the sixth most visited website in the nation and offers a number of other well-liked services, including email services.
VK claimed that although its apps “are forbidden by Apple,” it will “continue to create and support iOS applications” in a statement that was translated and posted on its website. Apple spokesperson Adam Dema confirmed that VK’s apps have been taken down, and its developer accounts have been closed.
Despite the broader trend of tech businesses retreating from Russia, Apple stated the decision was made to comply with UK sanctions. Russian officials told the state-run media station RT that they were starting an investigation into why the app had been taken down, giving the impression that the sanctions may not be the real cause for the removal.
According to a statement from Dema, the majority of the creators of these apps are owned or controlled by one or more parties that the UK government has approved. “Apple terminated the developer accounts linked to these apps in order to comply with these sanctions, and the apps are no longer available for download from any App Store, anywhere in the world. These applications may still be used by users who have already downloaded them.
Several American social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, have been blocked by the Russian government since its invasion of Ukraine earlier this year. Many people and companies connected to the Russian government have already been sanctioned by the US and other governments, including Vladimir Kiriyenko, the CEO of the VK Group and a supporter of Putin.
The iPhone once featured VK’s apps in a prominent location. A rule that was put into force last year obliged digital firms to pre-install Russian-made software on devices that were sold in the nation. Apple complied by including a screen during the setup of the iPhone that displayed a list of available apps from Russian developers. Several VK programmes, including its social network, email client, and digital assistant, were listed.
Just weeks after sanctions blocked clients of Russian banks from using Google Pay and Apple Pay, Apple ceased selling its devices in the nation and made some Russian news apps inaccessible from anywhere but Russia earlier this year.
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