In response to the war in Ukraine, Apple has halted its product sales in Russia. The US company also announced that the Apple Pay payment service had been restricted. The Russian state broadcasters RT and Sputnik would also no longer be available for download outside Russia.
Apple announced on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, that it has suspended sales of all Apple products in Russia for the time being in response to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
According to Reuters news agency, the U.S. company had already stopped all corresponding exports last week. A company spokesperson stated in this regard:
We are deeply concerned about the Russian invasion of Ukraine and stand with all those suffering from the violence. We are supporting humanitarian efforts, providing aid to the unfolding refugee crisis, and doing everything we can to support our teams in the region.
Apple restricts Apple Pay and App Store
Apple announced a full range of measures overall in response to the war in Ukraine. These include exports to as well as within Russia. The company has also restricted its Apple Pay payment service, as well as other services.
Like Google, for example, Apple has also limited its map service in Ukraine and deactivated current traffic displays and accident reports in order to protect the country’s citizens. Within Russia, the U.S. company has also restricted its app store.
The apps of the Russian state broadcasters RT and Sputnik can no longer be downloaded in Russia. Apple has also deactivated the ordering process for all products. Users can still access the store, but they cannot add products to their shopping cart, let alone order them.
Google blocks RT and Sputnik on the Play Store
Google has also blocked the apps of Russian state broadcasters RT and Sputnik within its Play Store. Like Apple, the company has also restricted the distribution channels and advertising options of the propaganda broadcasters in the process. The goal, it says, is to protect people from misinformation about the war in Ukraine.
The Reuters news agency also reports that the European Commission is already working on a ban to that effect. Google’s announcement happened as another step ready previously taken protective measures. Previously, the company had already restricted all channels of RT and Sputnik on its subsidiary platform YouTube.
