Russia's VK launches RuStore for apps after exit of Western alternatives

VK

25/05/2022 12:43

May 25 (Reuters) - Russian internet group VK  VKCOq.L 
launched a home-made app store on Wednesday, the latest in a
Kremlin-endorsed drive to create a raft of domestic digital
services to replace Western rivals.
    VK  VKCOq.L , often dubbed "Russia's Facebook", said a beta
version of the store, named RuStore, would be available for
Android users from Wednesday.
    Apple  APPL.O  and Alphabet's Google  GOOGL.O , the two
largest app stores in the world, have limited access for Russian
users in response to Moscow's actions in Ukraine.
    The Kremlin is pushing for the rapid development of domestic
digital alternatives and has accelerated its years-long campaign
to exert control over the online space, limiting access to
Meta's Instagram and Facebook  FB.O , Twitter  TWTR.N  and
Google's News platform.  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL5N2VR5YT
    VK  VKCOq.L , which is part-owned by Gazprom Media and owns
a host of online services from social media platforms to food
delivery, has emerged as a leader in the race to replace Western
services.
    RuStore was created with the support of Russia's ministry of
digital development, communications and mass media, as well as
Russian technology company Yandex  YNDX.O , the country's
largest lender Sberbank  SBER.MM , and cybersecurity firm
Kaspersky Lab.
    "Creating a Russian app store is an essential task, dictated
by market conditions" said Maksut Shadaev, minister of
communications and media, in a statement announcing the launch.
    VK  VKCOq.L  said more than 100 applications were available
on the store at launch, including some government services, and
that more were being added every day.
    "I am sure that RuStore will be in demand among both users
and developers. It has everything it needs to become the largest
Russian app store," said VK CEO Vladimir Kiriyenko.
    Facing an exodus of IT specialists in the first weeks of
what Russia calls it "special military operation" in Ukraine,
the Russian government promised income tax breaks and
preferential loans for tech companies, and a deferral of
military service for employees, in a bid to keep them in Russia.
    Politicians are also encouraging users to switch to domestic
providers.

 (Reporting by Reuters)