Russia Urges Citizens to Ditch iPhones After Apple Blocks Key Apps

In a surprising turn of events, the Russian government is now advising its citizens to switch to Android devices after Apple blocked two key Russian apps from its App Store. The move comes as a response to Apple's decision to remove VKontakte, a popular social media platform, and the Max messaging app, which is mandatory for state communications. Both apps were blocked due to concerns over their surveillance capabilities, with the Max app being particularly notorious for its use of neural networks to eavesdrop on users. According to Apple's 2025 App Store Transparency Report, Russia has been leading the charge in demanding app removals, with a staggering 1,213 requests made last year. While the Russian government has been vocal about its desire to control the internet within its borders, the blocking of these two apps has sparked a strong reaction. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has demanded an explanation from Apple, and the government is now urging citizens to make the switch to Android. The move is seen as an attempt to promote a domestic, state-controlled version of the internet, where the government has greater control over the flow of information. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Apple will respond to the Russian government's demands, and what implications this will have for iPhone users in Russia.