Google Play removes Russians' most popular apps following EU sanctions
Photo: Google Play app store (Getty Images)
Google Play has removed Russian apps VK (VKontakte), Max Messenger, and Odnoklassniki from its app store. The move follows new EU sanctions against VK Holding and the company behind the Max messaging app, according to Russian media.
According to the EU, Max was developed under the supervision of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) and includes features that could be used to monitor users.
VK said that apps already installed on users' devices will continue to function without restrictions. Android users will still receive push notifications for messages, calls, and other events. However, the apps can no longer be downloaded through Google Play.
The company added that its services remain available through alternative app stores, including RuStore, Huawei AppGallery, Samsung Galaxy Store, and Xiaomi GetApps.
This is not the first restriction targeting the VK ecosystem. In late June, Apple removed VK, Max, Odnoklassniki, Mail.ru, VK Music, VK Messenger, VK Video, and several other VK services from the App Store following EU sanctions.
EU sanctions against Russia
As previously reported, on July 13, the European Union approved new sanctions against Russia.
The latest restrictions target 11 Russian individuals and five companies, including Russian IT firms, developers of surveillance systems for the FSB, and officials linked to the prison where Ukrainian prisoners of war were tortured.
At the same time, the EU has not yet approved its 21st sanctions package against Russia. As reported by the Financial Times, Greece has so far blocked the package.
