The Anti-Corruption Foundation has achieved another important result in the fight against Russian internet censorship: the state-controlled messenger Max can no longer be downloaded from either the App Store or Google Play.

Several months ago, we launched a campaign to defend internet freedom and called for sanctions against the companies and individuals helping the Kremlin block independent platforms and force Russians onto state-controlled services.

Our sanctions list included VK, the legal entity behind Max, and other participants in Russia’s internet censorship system. This week, the European Union adopted many of our proposals and imposed sanctions on them.

Apple then removed Max from the App Store. We contacted Google and urged the company to take the same step. The app has now also been removed from Google Play.

The Russian authorities had been trying to turn Max into a compulsory state messenger and use it as a replacement for foreign services that the Kremlin blocks or slows down. It is now unavailable through the two largest official app stores.

This result shows that sustained international pressure works. The Anti-Corruption Foundation will continue pushing for sanctions against those responsible for Russian internet censorship and opposing the Kremlin’s attempts to establish full control over the internet.