Russian Apple customers can no longer purchase iPhones, iPads or Macs from the Russian version of the online store. The Cupertino company explained that it took several measures after Russia invaded Ukraine, including stopping the sale of its products in the territory. This decision follows a request from Mykhailo Fedorov, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transition of Ukraine, who had sent a letter to Tim Cook asking him to stop the sale of Apple products on enemy territory.
Traffic info cut off in Apple Maps
But the Cupertino company did not limit itself to stopping sales of its products in Russia. Apple has indeed stopped all its exports to Russia and has, like Google Maps, deactivated real-time traffic information in Apple Maps in Ukraine to protect the local population. Apple’s mapping application, like Google’s, uses users’ location data to provide certain information, such as traffic jams or the level of frequentation of certain places, sensitive information that could be easily exploited by the public. ‘invader.
To complement the measures taken in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Apple has also removed the iOS apps of RT News and Sputnik News, two media outlets affiliated with the Kremlin, from its App Store outside of Russia.
“We have suspended all product sales in Russia. Last week, we stopped all exports to our outlets in the country. Apple Pay and other services have been restricted. RT News and Sputnik News are no longer available for download from the App Store outside of Russia. And we have disabled both traffic and live incidents in Apple Maps in Ukraine as a safety and precautionary measure for Ukrainian citizens. said Tim Cook in a letter to Apple employees.
If the measures taken by Apple may seem derisory in view of the dramatic situation in Ukraine, they have an immediate effect in certain situations.
Last Monday, the inability to use Apple Pay and Google Pay services which have been restricted in the country led to a great mess, with Muscovites unable to access metro platforms using their smartphones.
Source: MacRumors