JAKARTA - Russian internet group VK launched its own app store on Wednesday, May 25. It is the latest app product in a Kremlin-backed effort to create a domestic digital service to replace rival services from the West.
VK, often dubbed "Facebook Russia", said a beta version of the app store, called RuStore, would be available for Android users starting Wednesday.
Alphabet's Apple and Google, the world's two largest app stores, have restricted access to users in Russia in response to Moscow's actions in Ukraine.
The Kremlin, on the other hand, has continued to encourage the rapid development of alternative domestic digital app stores and has accelerated years of campaigns to exercise control over the online space, such as restricting access to Meta's Instagram and Facebook, Twitter and News on Google's platforms.
VK, which is partly owned by Gazprom Media and owns a number of online services from social media platforms to food delivery, has emerged as a leader in the race to replace app services from the West.
RuStore was created with the support of Russia's Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media, as well as Russian technology company Yandex, the country's largest lending bank Sberbank, and cybersecurity firm Kaspersky Lab.
"Creating a Russian app store is an important task, determined by market conditions," Maksut Shadaev, Minister of Communications and Media, said in a statement announcing the launch of the app store.
VK said more than 100 apps were available on the RuStore store at launch, including several government services, and more were being added daily.
"I am sure RuStore will be in demand by users and developers. RuStore has everything needed to become the largest Russian application store," said VK CEO Vladimir Kiriyenko.
Facing an exodus of IT specialists in the first weeks of what Russia called "special military operations" in Ukraine, the Russian government promised income tax breaks and preferential loans to technology companies, and suspension of military service for employees, in a bid to keep them in Russia. Politicians are also encouraging users to turn to these domestic service providers.
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