Russia’s RT, Sputnik apps blocked from Google Play store


FE Team | Published: March 02, 2022 18:31:56 | Updated: March 07, 2022 17:54:40


Russia’s RT, Sputnik apps blocked from Google Play store

Alphabet Inc's Google said on Tuesday that it has blocked mobile apps connected to RT and Sputnik, Russia’s state-owned television network and news agency, from its Play store.

The company took the decision in line with an earlier move to remove the Russian state publishers from its news-related features, reports Reuters.

A number of tech companies have limited distribution and advertising tools to Russian news outlets in recent days as the European Commission readies a ban on them out of concern that they are spreading misinformation about the war in Ukraine.

RT Deputy Editor-in-Chief Anna Belkina said in a statement on Tuesday that technology companies that have cut her outlet's distribution have not pointed to any evidence that it has reported falsehoods.

Sputnik did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Apple Inc said on Tuesday that RT News and Sputnik News were no longer available for download from its App Store outside Russia.

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