Apple App Store pulls Russian social network VKontakte

Apple pulling Russian social media platform VK, long known as VKontakte, from the App Store means users who already have the application on their iPhones will no longer get security or performance updates.

Apple pulling Russian social media platform VK, long known as VKontakte, from the App Store means users who already have the application on their iPhones will no longer get security or performance updates.

Apple on Wednesday confirmed that it removed popular Russian social network VKontakte from its App Store globally due to sanctions imposed by Britain.

The British government on Monday sanctioned 92 Russian individuals and entities after President Vladimir Putin's regime held referendums in Moscow-controlled areas of Ukraine -- denounced by Kyiv and its allies as a "sham" -- and stepped up threats against the West.

The sanctions target "those behind these sham votes, as well as the individuals that continue to prop up the Russian regime's war of aggression," he said.

VK apps are used for messaging, digital payments and grocery shopping as well as social networking.

Apple said that it terminated developer accounts associated with the apps, which were not available from the App Store regardless of users' locations.

"Their core functionality will be familiar and stable," VKontakte-parent VK said of the apps.

gc/caw

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