EU sanctions Russian social network VK and Russia’s state-backed messaging app Max

Source: Official Journal of the European Union

The European Union expanded its sanctions against Russia to include VK, the country’s dominant social media company, and its subsidiary Kommunikatsionnaya Platforma, an investment firm that developed Max, the state-backed national messaging app, according to the bloc’s official journal (.pdf).

European authorities said VK “provides technical support for the suppression of civil society and democratic opposition” in Russia. Kommunikatsionnaya Platforma was sanctioned on the same grounds.

“EU sanctions have no effect on how VK and Max work. The apps and services are available to users as usual,” VK’s press service told the Russian business outlet RBC.

The EU added 11 individuals and five companies to the updated list on July 13. They include VAS Experts, Norsi-Trans, and Tsitadel — developers and suppliers of software for SORM, the system Russia’s Federal Security Service uses for surveillance. The EU imposed the restrictions over human rights violations in Russia.

Russian authorities have persistently pushed the so-called national messaging app Max on citizens while restricting its more successful competitors, Telegram and WhatsApp. Experts have repeatedly criticized Max over security problems.

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EU sanctions Russian social network VK and Russia’s state-backed messaging app Max

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EU sanctions Russian social network VK and Russia’s state-backed messaging app Max

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