A group of apps belonging to Russian tech company VK has been removed from Apple's App Store without warning or explanation, prompting a demand for clarity from the Kremlin. The removals have affected millions of users in Russia and come amid a broader push by the government to promote home-grown internet services.

What Happened

The removals were announced on Thursday, with VK stating that its apps had been taken down "without warning or explanation". The company warned that iPhone users would no longer receive push notifications across its suite of apps and that millions of users were affected. The removed apps included social networks, video platforms, messaging apps, email clients, and educational products.

According to Meduza, the removals were broad, affecting VK's popular services such as VKontakte and Odnoklassniki, which are among the most widely used social platforms in Russia. The company also owns Dzen, one of the country's larger content aggregators. VK warned that Apple's actions would restrict access to these popular services for tens of millions of people every day.

Background and Context

The removals come amid a broader push by the Kremlin to promote home-grown internet services in Russia. The government has been encouraging Russians to use MAX, a state-backed messenger developed by VK that now comes pre-installed on all mobile phones and tablets sold in Russia. This effort is part of a larger strategy to increase control over the local online space.

Russia has restricted the use of foreign technology apps since the start of the conflict in Ukraine in 2022, as part of a broader clash between Moscow and Western platforms. Apple itself stopped selling iPhones and other products in Russia in March 2022, following the invasion of Ukraine. The company confirmed that it had shut down its online retail operations shortly after.

The removals also highlight the complex sanctions landscape surrounding VK's chief executive, Vladimir Kiriyenko. While the corporate entity may not be listed as sanctioned, Kiriyenko himself is under US, EU, and British sanctions. His father, Sergei Kiriyenko, is a senior Kremlin adviser and President Vladimir Putin's first deputy chief of staff.

Why It Matters to the Industry

The removals have significant implications for the adult industry, which relies heavily on streaming and webcam infrastructure, servers, and platforms. The affected apps included social networks, video platforms, messaging apps, email clients, and educational products. This raises concerns about access to popular services used by tens of millions of people every day.

The incident also highlights the importance of understanding the complex sanctions landscape surrounding companies and individuals in the adult industry. As seen with VK's chief executive, sanctions can have far-reaching consequences for companies operating in Russia or with ties to sanctioned individuals.

What Comes Next

The Kremlin has demanded an explanation from Apple, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov warning that Russian authorities would address the matter directly with the corporation. If explanations are not provided, Russia may consider withdrawing its cooperation with Apple as a whole. Peskov also suggested that Russians frustrated by Apple's decision could switch to Android devices, which still offer VK's apps.

Key Facts

  • The removals affected millions of users in Russia and included social networks, video platforms, messaging apps, email clients, and educational products.
  • VK warned that Apple's actions would restrict access to popular services used by tens of millions of people every day.
  • The Kremlin has demanded an explanation from Apple, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov warning that Russian authorities would address the matter directly with the corporation.
  • Russia has restricted the use of foreign technology apps since the start of the conflict in Ukraine in 2022.
  • VK's chief executive, Vladimir Kiriyenko, is under US, EU, and British sanctions.
  • The removals come amid a broader push by the Kremlin to promote home-grown internet services in Russia.