VK Challenges EU Sanctions in European Court

The owner of VKontakte has challenged the EU sanctions in court

The Russian technology holding company VK has appealed to the European Union court to have the sanctions imposed against it last summer lifted. The EU linked the restrictions to the use of digital technologies for surveillance and the suppression of dissent in Russia.

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A claim against the Council of the European Union was filed with the General Court of the European Union on 7 October. The case has been registered under number T-664/26, according to RBC. VK stated that it considers the decision on sanctions to be unlawful and unfounded.

The EU restrictions apply to VK Company, which owns the social network ‘VKontakte’, and its subsidiary ‘Communication Platform’, which is responsible for the development and operation of the ‘Max’ messaging app. The EU Council adopted the decision on 13 July as part of measures targeting individuals and organisations it considers responsible for serious human rights violations in Russia.

In justifying the sanctions, the European authorities stated that ‘Max’ operates under the supervision of Russia’s Federal Security Service and possesses extensive capabilities for monitoring users. According to the EU Council’s assessment, the app can be used to persecute people who criticise Russia’s war against Ukraine or publish other material banned by the Russian authorities. This is the European Union’s position, as set out in the justification for the sanctions.

Following the introduction of the restrictions, VK stated that they would not affect the operation of the holding company or its services.

The EU sanctions have imposed a new restriction on the company in the international market. In June, the ‘Max’ app and other VK services disappeared from the App Store, whilst in July the holding company’s apps vanished from Google Play. Apple explained the removal as being in compliance with sanctions requirements. VK described Apple’s actions as unfounded and reported that negotiations were underway to have the apps reinstated.

Previously, Western sanctions had targeted VK’s CEO, Vladimir Kirienko, personally. The US added him to its sanctions list in February 2022, and the UK did so in March of the same year.

This story was translated with the assistance of artificial intelligence.The translation was also reviewed by the Logos Press editorial team.

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