In Russia, Apple halts sales of iPhones, iPads, Macs, and other hardware products. The latest move is a retaliation for the country’s invasion of Ukraine, which began late last month. Apple blocked Apple Pay in Russia, pulled Russian apps such as Sputnik and RT News from the App Store outside Russia, and disabled live traffic in Ukraine on Apple Maps as part of its support for Ukraine.
Apple has “paused all product sales in Russia,” according to a statement. We were able to access Apple’s Russian website, but the company’s online store is currently unavailable in the country.
Apple stopped all exports to Russia last week, and some software restrictions were among the few steps it took to support Ukraine and “stand with all of the people who are suffering as a result of the violence,” according to Apple. Other tech companies, including Google, Meta (formerly Facebook), and Netflix, have imposed various restrictions on their products in Russia, in addition to Apple.
According to a company spokesman, in addition to Apple halts the sale of all Apple products in Russia, the company’s popular payment service, Apple Pay, is being restricted in the country.
Because Apple does not have any physical stores in Russia, where iPhones are the third most popular smartphone, the move has an impact on online sales. In Russia, Apple’s phones trail Xiaomi and Samsung in national sales.
It follows similar moves by Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok to combat Russian propaganda, including Apple’s removal of Russian government-backed media accounts from its App Store. Despite the Russian government’s pleas, Netflix says it will not stream state government channels.
Apple Maps users in Ukraine will notice the following alterations: Apple adds that two features, traffic, and live incidents, have been disabled as a safety measure for Ukrainian citizens.
While Apple has not said whether banning sales of iPhones and other physical products in Russia was a strategic decision, Ukrainian Vice Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov published an open letter to the company last week urging it to cut Russia off from its global operations. He demanded that Apple “stop supplying Apple services and products to the Russian Federation” and that the App Store be blocked for Russia.
The disruption in flights and cargos could also be to blame for the halt in Apple’s physical product sales in Russia. Several countries have imposed restrictions on flights and cargo shipments to Russia. Apple relies on imports from other countries because it does not manufacture or assemble iPhones or other products in Russia. Apple’s ability to sell its products in Russia is nearly impossible due to the ban.
Apple stated that it will continue to “evaluate the situation” in Russia and that it is “in communication with relevant governments on the actions we are taking.” The statement did not name the governments, but Apple’s latest move would prevent Russian customers from purchasing new iPhones from Apple’s own stores. Despite the fact that Apple’s actions are broad, they do not completely prevent Russians from accessing the App Store.
