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Apple has removed Russia’s state-backed messaging application Max from its App Store, according to the app’s developers.
The company said the app became unavailable for download after disappearing from the App Store on Wednesday night. While existing users can continue to access the service, new downloads and updates through Apple’s platform are no longer possible.
Apple confirmed to Agence France-Presse (AFP) that the removal was carried out in order to comply with applicable sanctions requirements across the jurisdictions in which it operates. The company did not specify which sanctions were applied in this case.
Max is developed by VK, a major Russian technology and social media company. VK’s chief executive, Vladimir Kiriyenko, has been subject to sanctions imposed by the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union since 2022.
The Max application has been positioned by Russian authorities as a central component of the country’s efforts to develop a sovereign digital ecosystem.
The platform has been promoted for use by government agencies, state-owned enterprises, educational institutions and public-sector organizations, with reports indicating it has been increasingly integrated into official communications systems.
Since September, the application has reportedly been pre-installed on devices sold within Russia, although it remains unavailable in the European Union.
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