Google Play Removes Russia-Controlled Social Media Max, VK
The removals affected apps with millions of users, while already installed copies continue to work and alternative Android stores still offer downloads.
- On July 16, Google Play removed the Max messenger, VKontakte, and The Odnoklassniki social network apps from its platform, though previously installed applications will continue functioning without restrictions.
- Following their removal from the App Store in late June, the European Union imposed sanctions on VK and its subsidiary, Kommunikatsionnaya Platforma, on July 13.
- Applications remain available for download through RuStore, Huawei AppGallery, Samsung Galaxy Store, and Xiaomi GetApps, while VKontakte is transitioning its web presence from the.com domain to.ru.
- Users are receiving notifications about the domain move, with the notification stating, "It's still the same VKontakte, the notification reads, but faster and more reliable than vk.com."
- These removals represent a significant restriction on availability for Russian-language applications across major international digital storefronts, with apps now facing limited distribution outside domestic and alternative Android-based marketplaces.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Google Play removed the most popular Russian applications due to EU sanctionsGoogle Play, following the AppStore, removed VK applications popular in Russia. This happened after the imposition of EU sanctions against the holding and related developer company Mach.
Google Play removes Max, Russia’s Kremlin-backed messenger, and VKontakte, VK’s flagship social network — three days after the EU sanctioned VK, their parent company
VK said on July 16 that the Max messenger and the VKontakte social network apps had been removed from the Google Play app store. The Odnoklassniki social network app is also unavailable there.
Since the introduction of European Union sanctions, several Russian holding applications have become inaccessible.
Google Play removes Russia-controlled social media Max, VK
The Russian government has been increasingly restricting access to social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram and instead pushing Russian users to the app Max, the development of which was supervised by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB).
The MAX and VK app are no longer available online on Google Play for Android phones.
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