App Store

Apple Tightens App Store Rules Against Non-Consensual Intimate AI Deepfakes

Apple has updated its App Store guidelines to explicitly prohibit applications that generate intimate deepfake images of real individuals without consent. Developers must now implement measures to prevent creation and distribution of such content and promptly remove any instances that appear. The company also banned the practice of submitting apps with hidden functionality that is activated after passing review, a tactic previously used by undressing services. Violations can result in both app removal and expulsion from the Apple Developer Program. The move follows similar actions against xAI's Grok chatbot, which added safeguards after Apple threatened removal over the same issue. The policy targets non-consensual intimate imagery rather than all deepfake technology.

T-Bank Masks New iOS Banking App as K8CHEN PRO to Bypass Sanctions

T-Bank has released a new version of its mobile banking application for iPhone users that appears in the App Store under the neutral name K8CHEN PRO. After installation and user authentication, the app automatically renames itself to 8PRO. The application is currently available for download in the Russian, Kazakh, Turkish, Georgian, and American App Store regions. T-Bank confirms the legitimacy of the release through a direct link published on its official website. The disguise is a direct response to repeated removals of official Russian financial apps from the App Store following the introduction of sanctions. Users are strongly advised to obtain the app exclusively via the official site link rather than searching the store, as fraudsters frequently clone banking applications to steal credentials.

Multiple Ozon Apps Removed from Google Play Following Sanctions on Ozon Bank

Several Ozon applications have been removed from the Google Play store, affecting Android users who can no longer download the main Ozon client along with Ozon Fresh, Ozon Seller, Ozon Job and Ozon Travel. Ozon stated that the company did not violate Google Play rules, yet the exact reasons for the removals remain undisclosed. The action follows the earlier disappearance of the Ozon Bank app after the bank was placed under European Union sanctions, although no official connection has been confirmed. Apple users continue to access Ozon services through the App Store, while Android users are directed to alternative stores including RuStore, AppGallery and Galaxy Store. The company also warned against downloading APK files from unverified sources due to security risks. The removals come amid a broader wave of app store purges that also affected Yandex Pay on the App Store. Already installed applications generally continue to function, but users may face difficulties with future updates and reinstalls.

Yandex Pay App Permanently Removed from App Store Across All Regions Due to Sanctions

The Yandex Pay application has been fully removed from the App Store in every region worldwide. Existing installations continue to operate normally, and the company has confirmed that all client funds remain secure. However, users can no longer download the app or receive updates, prompting Apple device owners to avoid deleting the application. Yandex recommends disabling automatic app updates through iOS settings to prevent any potential loss of functionality. If the app is accidentally removed, the service remains accessible through the web version at pay.yandex.ru, which can be added to the home screen via Safari. The removal occurs amid broader sanctions and information-related restrictions affecting Russian technology services.

Spyware-Laden Modified iOS Apps Distributed via Russian Telegram Channel, Kaspersky Discovers

Kaspersky researchers have identified modified versions of popular iOS applications that are being distributed through a Russian-language Telegram channel and contain a malicious spying module. The infected apps include a marketplace platform for selling goods, a photo editor, and a video viewing service, all offered as ad-free versions with extra free features. Attackers embed the spyware directly into legitimate IPA files, while some clean apps simply promote the same channel to funnel users toward the malicious downloads. Installation requires users to obtain a developer certificate and sign the app using tools such as eSign or Scarlet, or to sideload via a computer or jailbroken device, completely bypassing the App Store. Once launched, the malware collects device name, battery level, regional settings, memory information, jailbreak status, geolocation, carrier code, and screenshots before sending the data to the attackers, although it stops when the app is closed. Kaspersky advises users to obtain applications only from official stores or verified developer websites rather than random Telegram sources.

Telegram Briefly Removed from App Store After Apple Detects Child Sexual Abuse Material

Telegram was temporarily pulled from the App Store in multiple countries after Apple moderators identified content linked to child sexual abuse. The removal lasted roughly 20 minutes before the app was reinstated following Telegram's quick removal of the prohibited material and blocking of the responsible user. Apple cited strict App Store rules as the reason for the action. During the outage, already-installed copies continued to function normally while the app remained available via the Mac App Store and Google Play. Telegram responded on X with the quote “Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated” before Apple issued its official explanation. This marks at least the third documented instance of Telegram facing App Store removal, including a 2018 incident over unacceptable content and a 2024 removal from the Chinese store at the request of local regulators.

Telegram Bug Floods iPhones with Fake Notifications, Causing Severe Overheating and Battery Drain

A persistent bug in the Telegram messaging app has been causing iOS devices to overheat dramatically and rapidly drain their batteries by spamming hundreds of false push notifications in the background. The issue triggers constant English-language alerts reading "You have a new message" even when users have Russian language settings enabled and message previews turned off, rendering the notifications useless. Reports of the problem first emerged in May but intensified after the release of Telegram version 12.9, which appears to create an infinite loop in background processes that overworks the CPU. Affected users report battery losses of up to 11 percent within 30 minutes of idle time, with some devices becoming hot enough that Apple automatically pauses charging until temperatures drop. One journalist resorted to using a gaming controller with a built-in fan to keep an iPhone cool enough to charge. The only temporary workaround involves clearing the app cache and performing a full reinstall from the App Store, though the bug has been known to return after one or two weeks for some users.

Russian Users Report Widespread App Store Outages as Roskomnadzor Denies Any Role in Restricting Access

Russian users began experiencing technical problems with the App Store starting early in the day, with the monitoring service Sboy.rf receiving 251 complaints about instability and failed downloads. The majority of reports originated from Moscow, accounting for 20 percent of cases, followed by Saint Petersburg at 13 percent and several other regions including Udmurtia, Kursk, Rostov, Bryansk oblasts and Stavropol Krai each contributing 5 percent. Affected users described inconsistent behavior of the App Store application itself along with difficulties downloading games and other software, where the Get button would appear but actual downloads would succeed only sporadically. In response to the growing number of reports, Roskomnadzor quickly issued a brief statement clarifying that it is not imposing any restrictions on access to the App Store. The exact cause of the disruptions remains unknown, Apple has not provided any official comment, and the scale of the incident is considered limited since only several hundred users have reported issues and not everyone is affected. Standard troubleshooting steps such as verifying internet connectivity, restarting the App Store application, and waiting for service restoration have been recommended to users.