Apple has removed the VKontakte and Mail.ru apps from the App Store
Apple has removed a number of apps from the Russian holding company VK from the App Store, including “VKontakte,” Mail.ru, VK Video, VK Music, VK Messenger, “Zen,” and “Odnoklassniki.”
Apple did not explain the reasons for this decision. Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Digital Development, Communications, and Mass Media stated that the removal was “politically motivated” and accused the company of unfair competition. The ministry also appealed to Russia’s Federal Antimonopoly Service.
VK stated that due to the removal of the apps, users will no longer be able to receive push notifications or download and update the services via the App Store.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov subsequently called on Russians to switch to Android and use Russian digital services.
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