On Monday, European Union foreign ministers implemented a new round of sanctions targeting the Russian technology firm VK Company. The bloc accused the organization, which holds a dominant position in Russia's digital landscape, of colluding with the Kremlin to identify and suppress critics of the ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine. According to the EU, the company has actively participated in state efforts to monitor online communications and limit access to independent news sources.
Central to the decision is the development and management of the state-backed "Max App." This software is pre-installed on all mobile phones and tablets sold within Russia. Brussels-based officials, citing expert analysis, argue that the application features extensive surveillance capabilities. These include the ability to monitor address books, track user locations, gather personal data, and push autonomous updates to devices. The imposition of this app has reportedly been used by the state to undermine competitors like Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram, as well as to block Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) that citizens use to circumvent state internet restrictions.
Official legal documentation released by the EU states that VK has cooperated directly with Russian authorities in repressive actions. This includes providing data concerning users who posted content critical of the war in Ukraine or other material banned by the government. The firm also reportedly participated in the state-ordered crackdown on VPNs.
The EU’s decision includes an asset freeze and a prohibition on any EU companies providing funds to the firm. In response to the sanctions, VK told the Russian state-owned news agency TASS that its services and applications remained available to users as normal. The measures were enacted under a special regime designed to address human rights violations.
In addition to VK Company, the EU sanctioned three other entities—Citadel, VAS Experts, and Norsi-Trans—for providing hardware and software that powers the System of Operative Investigative Measures. This system is utilized by Russian authorities to target journalists, opposition figures, minority groups, and ordinary citizens. Separately, the EU also announced sanctions against nine individuals and four entities accused of conducting malicious cyber attacks against various member states.
