Delete Election Applications In Russia, Navalny Calls Google And Apple Cowards

Alexey Navalny called Google and Apple a coward. (photo: facebook)

JAKARTA - Kremlin critic who is now imprisoned by the Russian government, Alexei Navalny, through his social media accounts, called Google and Apple "cowards" and acted as accomplices of Russian President, Vladimir Putin. This comes after the two tech giants intentionally removed voting apps before this month's election.

Navalny's supporters previously accused the US tech giant of yielding to Kremlin pressure by removing anti-government tactical voting apps from their app stores at the start of the three-day parliamentary vote, which ends on Sunday.

Navalny, who is in prison, added to his criticism, according to comments carried by his social media accounts.

"Apple giants @Apple and Google @Google have complied with the demands of the Kremlin and removed our apps from their stores. Beloved YouTube has removed our videos, and Telegram messengers have blocked our bots," he said in the post as quoted by Reuters.

"I know most of those who work at Google, Apple, etc. are honest and kind people. I urge them not to put up with the cowardice of their boss," he said.

Alphabet's Apple and Google did not respond to requests for comment sent last week after Navalny supporters criticized them. Google did not immediately respond to a further email request for comment on Thursday from Reuters. Apple also could not immediately be reached for comment.

The tactical voting app, designed by Navalny's allies, gives people detailed recommendations on who to vote for in a bid to thwart the United Russia party from remaining in power, which backs Putin.

United Russia secured a majority of votes in the lower house of the State Duma parliament, amid allegations of mass fraud from supporters of Navalny and others. The election commission said the vote was clean and the Kremlin called it an honest vote.

Google decided to remove the app after being told its local staff could face jail time, said one person familiar with the situation last week, who declined to be named.

In response to the comments, Navalny said in his social media post: "If so, then silence about it is the worst crime. This is the impetus of the hostage terrorist."