Russian developers are working on an alternative to the Google Play Store for the Android platform. The development is in response to the discontinuation of app sales in Russia by Google parent company Alphabet.
Like Apple, Google no longer sells applications through its Russian store due to the war in Ukraine. In addition to paid apps, in-app purchases and subscriptions are also blocked. The boycott prompted a group of developers to develop NashStore, as the alternative app store for Android is called.
According to the Reuters news agency, the NashStore will be launched on May 9. It is a national holiday in Russia, which celebrates the victory over Germany in World War II.
“Unfortunately, Russians can no longer make normal use of the Google Play Store to buy apps. Many developers have lost their source of income,” said Vladimir Zykov, project leader at developer Digital Platforms. “That’s why we are forced to create a new Russian app store.”