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Bulletins

Apple cuts off Russia from 'all product sales'

The decision follows requests from Ukraine's Ministry of Digital Transformation.

Apple logo

Apple is pausing sales in Russia.

Image: Apple

Apple has paused "all product sales" in Russia, according to BuzzFeed, following requests by Ukraine's Ministry of Digital Transformation.

Apple told BuzzFeed it also removed RT and Sputnik from its App Store outside of Russia, limited Apple Pay in the country, and disabled traffic and live incidents in Apple Maps in Ukraine.

"We will continue to evaluate the situation and are in communication with relevant governments on the actions we are taking," Apple said in its statement to BuzzfFed. "We join all those around the world who are calling for peace."

The decision follows requests to Tim Cook by Mykhailo Fedorov, vice prime minister of Ukraine and head of the Ministry of Digital Transformation, asking him to cut Russia off from Apple services, including the App Store. Fedorov said in a letter to Cook that the limitations could "motivate youth and active population of Russia to proactively stop the disgraceful military aggression."

Nat Rubio-Licht

Nat Rubio-Licht is a Los Angeles-based news writer at Protocol. They graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in newspaper and online journalism in May 2020. Prior to joining the team, they worked at the Los Angeles Business Journal as a technology and aerospace reporter.

applerussia-ukraineukrainerussiamykhailo fedorov
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