"This is an information war": experts criticized the removal of VK from the App Store

      On June 25, 2026, at 16:21 Society On June 25, Apple removed several services from the VK group from the App Store. The applications became unavailable for download and updates on iOS devices. Among the removed services are "VK Video," "VK Music," and "VK Messenger." The situation was commented on by Anton Gorelkin, the first deputy chairman of the State Duma's IT committee. In his opinion, such actions by Apple appear chaotic and could undermine the trust of Russian users. The deputy emphasized that the company should not hide behind "ephemeral sanctions," as VK does not appear on the sanctions lists, which, according to him, is known to international lawyers as well.

      "I think the company should explain itself: why is it depriving millions of people of access to familiar services, first banking, then transportation, now communication? This is pure information warfare. Apple's actions resemble banal revenge, unleashed at the behest of globalist elites, but on a scale that fits the definition of not just digital discrimination, but real terror," Gorelkin stated.

      Media manager Georgy Lobushkin also commented on the removal of applications and questioned the interpretation of "digital freedom" according to Apple, emphasizing that in practice, the corporation simply retains the right to remove undesirable services at its discretion.

      "Do you feel that your phone is yours? No, everything in it is a subscription. And in this subscription, they decide which services to use and which companies have the right to be on your device," Lobushkin noted, calling the situation a "digital gulag."

      He added that users, in his assessment, do not receive transparent explanations, as the company will likely once again refer to "sanctions." In such a model, the fate of applications depends on the decisions of a private corporation, and guarantees and predictability are absent. NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has channels on Telegram and MAX. Subscribe to stay updated on major events, exclusive materials, and timely information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod." When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+