Recent developments have shown that Russian software developers are working on a competitor to Alphabet Inc’s Google Play Store, with intentions to debut it on May 9th, a major holiday in Russia commemorating the country’s World War II victory.
YouTube, Apple, and Google Play suspended all payment-based services in the nation earlier this month, including subscriptions, as Western sanctions imposed in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began to pose banking issues in the country.
According to Vladimir Zykov, project director at Digital Platforms, a digital development organization, “Unfortunately, Russians can no longer normally use Google Play to buy apps and developers have lost their source of income. This is why we have created a Russian app shop, NashStore.”
NashStore, which translates to “OurStore” in English, will not only support Android mobile devices but will also be compatible with Russian Mir bank cards, a Russian payment system for electronic financial transfers established by the Central Bank of Russia.
On May 9th, Russia traditionally holds a patriotic exhibition of the country’s sheer military force with a promenade in Moscow’s Red Square commemorating the Soviet Union’s World War II victory over Nazi Germany.
Google removed mobile apps associated with RT and Sputnik from the Play Store earlier this month, after a previous move to ban the Russian state publishers from its news-related features.
As a result, Russia’s communications regulator stopped Google News in the nation last week, accusing it of giving access to “false news” about the country’s military incursion in Ukraine.
To read our blog on “Games from the Google Play Store are now available for Windows users,” click here.