Russian Social Media App VKontakte Removing From App Store

Apple is taking action for Vkontakte, a Russian social media application from its App Store stores. According to company officials, Facebook version of Vkontakte is being removed from App Store stores.

Moreover, VKontakte removes iOS apps from the technology group VK from the worldwide App Store. Apple reports that this heated move is in response to UK sanctions. On the other hand, a sharing that revealed the subject was made on VK's website. The translation of the statement on the subject published on VK's site was that their applications were blocked by Apple.

In addition, he draws attention with his sharing that he will continue to develop and support iOS applications. The answer to the accuracy of all this is reported by Apple spokesperson Adam Dema. Dema confirms that Apple's VK's apps have been removed and developer accounts have been closed.

These apps are distributed by majority-owned or majority-controlled developers, one or more parties approved by the UK government, Dema said in a statement. At this point, he states that Apple has terminated developer accounts associated with these apps to comply with these sanctions. It also states that apps cannot be downloaded from any App Store, regardless of location. However, it says that users who have previously downloaded these applications can continue to use these applications.

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VKontakte Russia's Second Largest Internet Company

VK is Russia's second largest internet company after the country's own version of Google, Yandex. The social media firm was founded in 2006 by Pavel Durov, who was eventually pushed out for "refusing to cooperate with the authorities." It now runs the popular messaging app Telegram.

In fact, all this is about the reflection of Russia's pressure on Ukraine on the world. Russia has been making a name for itself with the fake referendums it has recently organized in some parts of Ukraine. In response, last Monday, the British government imposed new sanctions on Russian oligarchs in response to Russia. These sanctions affect 23 executives at Gazprombank, a Russian bank with ties to VK.

Russia's Ministry of Digital Affairs, meanwhile, tells state-controlled media outlet RT that it is investigating the reasons for deleting VK apps and developer accounts. It also underlines the social significance and scale of use of the services provided by the Russian company.

Sanctions on Russia Continue

You may remember that Russia invaded Ukraine earlier this year and the fighting is still going on. It is undeniable that it caused some cracks in the world balance in this process. While the Russian government blocked many American social media sites, including Instagram, Facebook and Twitter; The U.S. and other governments, respectively, impose sanctions on many individuals and businesses affiliated with the Russian government, including VK Group CEO and Putin ally Vladimir Kiriyenko.

Apple's removal of VKontakte applications means that iPhone users will not be able to use the application of the fifth most popular site in Russia. It also means that other VK apps like Mail.ru, VK Music and Youla postings will no longer be accessible. For those who have already downloaded it, the company tells Russian news outlet Interfax that the apps may continue to work. But he also points out that there may be issues with notifications and payments.

Earlier this year, Apple stopped selling its products in the country. Just weeks after sanctions prevented Russian banks' customers from using Google Pay and Apple Pay, it made some Russian news apps inaccessible from anywhere outside of Russia.

As a matter of fact, VKontakte apps once occupied quite a prominent place on the iPhone. So much so that last year, a law went into effect requiring tech companies to pre-install Russian-made apps on devices sold in the country. However, at this point, it is a matter of curiosity how things will go further.