Apple and Google remove Navalny's Smart Voting app in Russia under Kremlin pressure
Apple and Google removed the Smart Voting app, created by imprisoned opposition leader Alexey Navalny, from their app stores in Russia on September 17, 2021, under pressure from Russian authorities. The app recommended candidates likely to defeat Kremlin-backed candidates in the parliamentary election. The removal followed threats of fines and criminal prosecution, and Russian police visited Google's offices to enforce a court order. Navalny's allies accused the companies of bending to Kremlin blackmail.
- Date it happened
- 2021-09-17
- Organisation involved
- Navalny's Foundation for Fighting Corruption
- Product, system or model
- Smart Voting app
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