'It's time for Russia to start freaking out.'
Russian communications regulators are back at Apple Inc, demanding an explanation for the App Store's removal of the Vkontakte (VK) application from their library.
It is understood that the VK application, a Russian social media platform similar to Facebook, has been removed from the App Store, causing a total of 75 million Moscow users to fail to access their accounts.
As a result, Roskomnadzor has demanded an explanation of the production to Apple.
In general, Roskomnadzor has become one of the main 'enemies' of foreign technology firms by issuing fines for any legal violations deemed illegal by Russia.
Roskomnadzor's dynamism was further blamed after Russia's invasion of Ukraine which saw Western powers impose trade sanctions.
In response, Apple said the act of releasing the application was made to comply with the laws in the jurisdiction where the company operates.
He explained that the application is being distributed by a majority-owned or majority-controlled developer in the United Kingdom (UK) and therefore they comply with the country's regulations regardless of location.
In the meantime, the Russian representative slammed the actions and restrictions and described them as discriminatory against the freedom of internet users to obtain information or communicate.
Ironically, Russia itself has blocked its citizens' access to external social applications such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter since the invasion took place last February.
