KIEV, UKRAINE – JUNE 12, 2014: A close-up photo of Apple iPhone 5s start screen with application icons, includes App Store, Settings, Clock, Game Center and others. App Store is a digital distribution service for mobile apps on iOS platform, developed by Apple Inc.
Apple ha restored Russian apps del social network VKontakte and your email provider Mail.ru on the App Store. This happens just three weeks after the company removed these and other VK-owned applications in response to UK sanctions.
Apple restores Russian apps in its App Store
The two Apps VKontakte and Mail.ru, the self-produced versions of Facebook and Gmail, have been withdrawn from the App Store following the sanctions launched by the British government that have affected dozens of executives of the Gazprombank, a Russian bank with links to VK. A device in response to bogus referendums organized by the Russian authorities in the occupied areas of Ukraine. “These Apps are distributed by majority-owned developers, or majority-controlled by one or more UK government sanctioned parties.” So Apple had reported before removing the applications.
To date, it is unclear why Apple has restored VKontake and Mail.ru in the App Store, as ownership has not changed. And leadership of Gazprombank and Sberbank still remains sanctioned by the British government. On the other hand, both applications were included in a list that Apple was legally obliged to show to new iPhone owners in Russia for download during initial setup. At least until it stopped selling its products in the country. But the company has finally given an answer.
“This developer’s apps were removed from the App Store, as required by law, after multiple requests were made to the developer to provide documentation to verify they did not violate UK sanctions. Following the removal, the developer has provided the necessary information by verifying that it is not owned by the majority or controlled by a sanctioned body. Therefore, the Apps have been restored in the App Store ”. So answered an Apple spokesperson closing the matter.