After the removal of apps from the App Store
After the removal of apps from the App Store, previously installed programs will continue to work, but users will no longer receive push notifications and will be unable to download or update applications. Apple has removed apps belonging to VK Group from the App Store.
Consensus
- Apple removed multiple VK applications from the App Store on June 25 without prior warning.
- The removed apps include 'Vkontakte', 'Odnoklassniki', 'Dzen', VK Video, VK Music, VK Messenger, VK Dating, Mail.ru, and Skillbox.
- Users of iOS devices can no longer download or update the applications, but previously installed versions continue to function.
- VK has stated it was never under sanctions and provided legal documentation to Apple confirming this.
- The removal prevents users from receiving push notifications.
- For Android users, VK apps remain available through alternative app stores such as RuStore, Google Play, Huawei AppGallery, Samsung Store, and Xiaomi Store.
Points of divergence
- Experts believe the motives used to justify the restrictions are not unique to VK and could apply to a broad range of Russian IT companies, especially those required by law to cooperate with state agencies and share data. — kommersant
- Apple stated that the removal was in accordance with sanctions compliance rules, though it did not specify which sanctions were involved. — fontanka
- Yana Lantratova described Apple's action as 'conscious arbitrariness' and emphasized that iPhone ownership no longer belongs solely to users, as the device can be rendered useless by remote decisions from abroad. — vesti
- Apple removed the apps without prior notification, despite VK having submitted all necessary documentation confirming it was not under sanctions. — gazeta_spb
- Ministry of Digital Development (MinTsifry) stated that Apple provided no substantiated justification for the removal and called the decision politically motivated. — interfax
- Apple previously removed VK apps from Apple Pay due to developers being under control of entities sanctioned by the UK, but later restored them. — novaya_eu
- The removal followed earlier deletion of the Max messenger app on June 3, which was also attributed to sanctions by Apple without clarification. — vedomosti
Coverage (11 sources)
- Experts Warn of Risks for All Russian Applications — Коммерсантъ
- Apple Explains Removal of VK Apps from App Store — Коммерсантъ
- Apple explains removal of VK apps from App Store — Фонтанка
- Lantratova calls Apple's decision to remove VK apps arbitrary — Вести
- VK Apps Disappeared from App Store Without Notice - SPB News — Gazeta.SPb
- Ministry of Digital Affairs Calls VK App Removal from App Store Politically Motivated — Интерфакс
- Apple has removed VK apps from the App Store — Новая газета Европа
- Apple removed VK apps from the App Store without prior notice — Интерфакс
- Apple removed VK apps from the App Store following other services — Ведомости
- VK Responds to Removal of Its Apps from the App Store — Фонтанка
- Russian Parliament Calls Removal of VK Apps from App Store an Informational War — Москва 24
Key entities
- Apple
- VKontakte
- App
- App Store
- VKontakte
- Moscow
- Odnoklassniki
- INTERFAX.RU
- Max
- Russia
- Yana Lantaratova
- VK Video
- VK Music
- Darya Myasina
- Ministry of Digital Development
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