Google has removed all VK applications (including the 'Max'…

Google has removed all VK applications (including the 'Max' messenger) from its store following Apple's actions. The company's press service stated that the application remains available for installation on RuStore, Huawei AppGallery, Samsung Galaxy Stores, Xiaomi GetApps, and other Android app stores.

Consensus

All applications belonging to the VK holding were removed from Google Play on July 16.
The removal followed a similar action by Apple, which had previously removed VK apps from App Store starting in June.
VK apps are still available through alternative app stores such as RuStore, Huawei AppGallery, Samsung Galaxy Store, and Xiaomi GetApps.
Users can continue to receive push notifications and updates for installed VK applications without disruption.
The removal is connected to EU sanctions against VK and its subsidiary Kommunikatsionnaya Platforma, which were introduced on July 13.
VK has recommended users switch from vk.com to vk.ru for faster access.

Points of divergence

VK announced the sale of its entire app store RuStore to Dmitry Pankrushev on July 16, shortly before the Google Play removal was made public. — meduza
Mash reports that VK apps are unavailable in Huawei AppGallery for users of Chinese Huawei devices. — tg_sotavisionmedia
VK's app removal from Google Play caused push notifications to stop working for Apple device users, though this is contradicted by other sources stating they continue functioning. — m24

Coverage (4 sources)

Google follows Apple in removing all VK apps from its store (including the 'Max' messenger). Russian company won't suffer much, but there are ways to harm it even more — Meduza
"Max" and VK removed from Google Play — Meduza
VK and 'Max' Removed from Google Play — SOTAvision
VK-owned apps disappeared from Google Play — Москва 24

Google has removed all VK applications (including the 'Max'…

Consensus

Points of divergence

Coverage (4 sources)

Key entities

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