Apple removes VK and Max apps, prompting Russian government criticism and antitrust warning
Apple removed VK, Russia’s largest social network, and the state‑owned messaging app Max from the App Store, blocked key Russian apps, and faced government criticism and a Federal Antimonopoly Service warning. Apple removed VK, Russia’s largest social network, from the App Store, according to Kyivindependent, and also removed the Russian state messaging app Max, Escudodigital.com reported. The i‑
Apple removed VK, Russia’s largest social network, and the state‑owned messaging app Max from the App Store, according to Kyivindependent and Escudodigital.com. The company also blocked key Russian apps, leading Russian citizens to be told to switch to Android, as reported by Ars Technica.
The Russian government criticized Apple’s decisions, Ars Technica reported. VK is described as the country’s largest social media platform and a major channel for information distribution and state‑backed narratives, Kyivindependent noted.
Russia’s Federal Antimonopoly Service issued a warning to Apple, giving the company until July 15 to comply with requirements related to default search engines and the absence of Russian apps, Meduza reported. The warning cited that iPhones and iPads are shipped with a foreign search engine installed by default and warned of a fine of up to $52 million for non‑compliance.
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