After Russiait’s up to the ally Belarus: Google blocks the paid app updates and downloads on the Play Store. The American company also applies sanctions to the Kremlin ally.
Google blocks paid apps in Belarus
Since March, Google had blocked in-app purchases and paid app downloads in Russia after the invasion of Ukraine. But during the invasion the Russian army used it the logistic support of Belarus, so much so that many of the sanctions also affected the European country.
After blocking the paid app downloads for Russia and also app updates by subscription to begin May, Google extends the sanction to Belarusian users as well.
The text of the updated Google support page reads that “Google Play blocks the download of paid apps and updates of paid apps in Russia and Belarus”. This means that even security updates will not be accessible within the country. While instead, in-app purchases within free apps are still possible (unlike Russia).
Both in Russia and in Belarus it is still can download and update free apps. So Google suggests to developers that they provide essential services of remove payment options and put them on “pause”.
Google has already implemented several restrictions on its services in Russia and Belarus, adhering to the sanctions imposed by the United States after the invasion of Ukraine.