Key facts
- Google Play has removed the Russian social media apps Max and VK.
- VK announced the removal on July 16.
- The EU sanctioned entities associated with Max and VK on July 13.
- Max is alleged to have surveillance features used for repressive actions.
- Apple removed VKontakte and Max from its app store on June 25.
- VK is selling its RuStore app store to its CEO.
Google Play has removed the Russian social media applications Max and VK, with VK announcing the development on July 16. The move by Google follows a similar decision by Apple on June 25 to delist both VKontakte and Max from its app store.
The European Union had previously imposed sanctions on July 13 against companies and individuals linked to the development of Max, as well as Russia's largest social media platform VK, formerly known as VKontakte. According to an EU press release, Max "comes pre-installed on all mobile devices sold in Russia and includes extensive surveillance features, later used for repressive actions against users criticizing Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine or posting other content banned by authorities."
VK stated that its installed applications continue to operate normally without restrictions and remain available on other platforms, such as RuStore, which is owned and operated by VK. However, earlier on July 16, VK announced it was selling the RuStore app store to Dmitry Pankrushchev, the CEO of its developer company. The European Commission had not responded to inquiries regarding whether this sale was an attempt to circumvent the bloc's new sanctions.