Overview
- Apple pulled several mobile applications linked to VK from its iOS App Store, with some reports saying about 16 apps were affected.
- VK said the apps were removed without warning or explanation and stressed the company itself is not on U.S. sanctions lists.
- The Kremlin demanded an explanation from Apple and warned it may rethink cooperation with the company if answers are unsatisfactory.
- Users who already have the apps installed can still use them but will face degraded features such as disabled push notifications and are being steered toward Android alternatives.
- The removals follow an earlier App Store disappearance of the state-backed MAX messenger and highlight tensions between U.S. platforms enforcing sanctions rules and Russia's drive for a state-centered online ecosystem that critics say could increase surveillance.