Russian tech giant VK announced Thursday plans to sell 100% of RuStore, the country’s state-backed app marketplace, to the CEO of the company that develops the platform.
The divestment comes after the European Union sanctioned VK this week over its role in creating the Kremlin-backed messaging app Max.
RuStore was created as a domestic Android alternative following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, stepping in after Apple and Google limited access for Russian users.
Last year, the Russian government made it a legal requirement for the storefront to come pre-installed on all smartphones sold in the country.
Dmitry Pankrushev, CEO of RuStore’s developer, Mnogo Prilozheniy, has managed the platform’s day-to-day operations for several years.
VK took full ownership of RuStore in 2023. On Thursday, the company did not disclose the sale price to Pankrushev or elaborate on its sudden decision to offload the marketplace three years after its launch.
However, the tech giant promised that RuStore would continue to operate as usual during the transition.
In its announcement, VK described the platform as a vital, unified access point for Russia’s Android users, noting that RuStore currently hosts over 110,000 apps and games and draws 68 million monthly users.
The sale also follows recent controversy surrounding the app store’s security.
Reports last month alleged that RuStore secretly tracks users by simultaneously monitoring GPS data, cell towers and nearby mobile base stations. The marketplace was also accused of logging installed applications, accessing user photo galleries and downloading software without explicit consent.
RuStore has denied the tracking allegations, maintaining that its access permissions are standard industry practices used by all major app storefronts.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office has designated The Moscow Times as an “undesirable” organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a “foreign agent.”
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work “discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership.” We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It’s quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you’re defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Continue
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.
×
Remind me next month
Thank you! Your reminder is set.
