Apple shuts down App Store payment functions and subscription services in Russia

Users in Russia will no longer be able to use Apple's paid services in the future. As of April 1, Apple is stopping all "Apple Media Services" including App Store purchases that require payment. Previously, the iPhone company had stopped accepting Russian credit cards, but there was a workaround for using paid Apple services via mobile phone billing. In addition to the App Store for paid apps and subscriptions, iCloud+ (i.e., all paid iCloud services), Apple Music, Apple TV (both subscriptions and the purchase of series and films), iTunes Store purchases, Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+, Apple Podcast subscriptions, and the purchase of ringtones are also affected.

Data is not gone, subscriptions are

Apple will cancel existing subscriptions as soon as they reach the next billing cycle and can no longer be paid for from Russia. Content already purchased, which was paid for and not rented, including entertainment content as well as paid apps, should remain accessible. Data stored on iCloud will remain usable, but it will no longer be possible to upload additional content as part of iCloud+. Photos and videos can be downloaded.

Apple did not provide reasons for the decision. However, the company had recently had to pay a six-figure fine to the British government. Apple Distribution International (ADI), based in Ireland, is said to have transferred around 730,000 euros to a Russian streaming service, which apparently accrued as revenue abroad. ADI is responsible for Europe and the Middle East, among other regions. However, this did not concern Apple's own services.

Reaction to possible bans?

According to a report by the Russian news agency RIA Novosti, it was allegedly the Russian government itself that may have prompted payments to Apple services via phone bill to no longer be possible – at least this was discussed at the end of March. The company was allegedly to be forced to re-list various apps that were removed from the App Store due to US and EU sanctions.

In addition, Moscow wants Apple to include an app called RuStore, a kind of government app store, in its program, which the company has not done so far. Finally, according to the Russian telecommunications regulator, the iPhone manufacturer is not completely blocking VPN services, which people then use to bypass censorship. These services allegedly account for 80 percent of all in-app purchases in the country. This route is now apparently being taken away from Russians. It is unclear whether switching to another app store – such as the American one – helps or if Apple has implemented geo-blocks here.

(bsc)