Apple has removed the VK app, the most popular Russian social network, from its App Store. The decision, for which no official reason was given, has sparked outrage in Moscow and drawn sharp criticism from the company behind the service.
VK, often referred to as the „Russian Facebook,” is a cornerstone of Russia’s digital landscape. The removal means that millions of users in the country can no longer download or update the application through Apple’s official platform. The move follows a pattern of increasing restrictions on Russian digital services by Western tech giants since the start of the war in Ukraine.
In a statement, VK expressed frustration over the loss of functionality. – By its actions, Apple is limiting Russian users’ access to popular services that tens of millions of people use every day. Apple’s actions will mean that users will no longer receive push notifications about messages and important events – the company said.
Political backlash in Moscow
The removal quickly drew attention from Russian lawmakers. Sergei Boyarsky, chairman of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, called the move politically motivated. – This is a deliberate attempt to create inconvenience for the entire country. We are witnessing how a company is losing face, becoming a tool of information warfare. Apparently, they cannot forgive us our digital successes – he wrote on the Max platform.
The reaction underscores the heightened sensitivity around digital sovereignty in Russia, where state-controlled and domestically developed platforms have gained prominence after Western services were blocked or restricted.
A vacuum filled by VK
It is worth noting that VK’s success is partly due to the fact that its American counterpart, Facebook (now Meta), is banned in Russia and designated as an „extremist” organization. This has pushed Russian users toward local alternatives, making VK the dominant social network in the country. Apple’s latest move effectively cuts off a key channel for those users to access the platform on iPhones.
The decision also highlights the growing divide between global tech companies and the Russian market. Apple has previously removed other Russian apps and restricted services, aligning with sanctions and international pressure following the invasion of Ukraine.
For now, VK remains available on Android devices via Google Play and through direct downloads, but the removal from Apple’s ecosystem creates a significant barrier for a large portion of the Russian smartphone market. The long-term impact on VK’s user base and on Apple’s position in Russia remains to be seen.
Źródło: WNP.PL, Fot. Vasin Lee / Shutterstock
