Toni Dimaano Tech 10.19.2022 02:Oct AM EDT

Russian App Vkontakte Returns To Apple App Store

Apple has reinstated Russian social media platform Vkontakte to its App Store, weeks after removing it in accordance with UK sanctions.

Vkontakte is back to the App Store after the developer provided proof that it is not controlled by a sanctioned entity in Russia, The Verge writes.

Vkontakte Verifies That They Are Not Violating Sanctions

Developers claim that the apps were removed from the App Store for not ensuring a law requirement and fulfilling multiple requests for documentation to verify Vkontakte's legality.

According to Apple spokesperson Peter Ajemian, the Russian social network has since provided requisite information, which is why they let Vkontakte back to the App Store.

The app, along with homegrown email app Mail.ru, were suspected of having been distributed by Gazprombank, a Russian bank linked to the sanctioned VK firm.

According to Mac Rumors, these were in response to the failed referendum agenda put in place by Russian authorities in some areas of Ukraine that they have occupied.

The decision to remove VK applications last month also affects other iOS apps, which were also blocked by Apple since September.

According to CNN Business, these apps were also not available for download and update in the App Store for the last month.

VK apps cover a wide range of services in Russia, including emails, social networking, food delivery, and digital payments.

The App Will be Up And Running In No Time Again

Vkontakte resurfaced on the App Store on Monday and will once again be available worldwide, as recommended by monitoring project Apple Censorship.

Benjamin Ismail, Vkontake's project manager, says that as much as the company understands that Apple is only implementing store policies, it will still be held accountable for what happened.

He added that the company is glad that the Vkontakte is back, but they will continue to condemn Apple for its continuous erratic and non-transparent way of flagging and managing apps.

Mac Rumors writes that both Vkontakte and Mail.ru are still being used by activists and members of civil society organizations in day-to-day communication.

Vkontakte is the Russian equivalent of Facebook and is one of the most popular social networking apps in the country, according to The Verge.

CNN Business reports that VK is the fifth website with the largest traffic in Russia, with 97 million monthly users worldwide in their social network.

Last year, Russia already required Apple to ship iPhones along with a list of apps made and developed in Russia that users can set up.

However, Apple has stopped selling its products in Russia and started barring Russians from using Apple Pay in response to sanctions that arose due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Despite this, the VK Group says that the company will continue developing and supporting iOS applications, continuing their dedication to improving user comfort, Tech Crunch says.