Russia warns Google, Apple over Kremlin critic Navalny’s app

Media regulator warns Western tech giants could be held criminally liable if they do not comply with Russian law.

Russia’s state communications regulator is warning that the refusal by Google and Apple to remove jailed Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny’s app before elections could be seen as interference in the country’s domestic affairs. On Thursday, Roskomnadzor ramped up pressure on the Western tech giants saying they could be held criminally liable if they continue to refuse to comply with Russian law. Parliamentary elections are scheduled for later this month, with nearly all vocal Kremlin critics including Navalny’s allies barred from running.