Google Lifts Sevastopol Sanctions After Six Months

Crimean users have regained access to smartphone and tablet applications from the Google Play store after nearly six months of sanctions blocked access.

Google's mobile application store Google Play has reportedly begun working for Sevastopol residents, according to local media.

Google and other mobile application providers banned Crimea and Sevastopol users from accessing its services as part of US sanctions against Russia in January. In May, the US Treasury authorized the export of communications software to the peninsula "because it helps create a potentially uncontrolled access point."

Although the authorization is limited to communications software, users have been able to download games including Angry Birds, according to users on Sevastopol city forums.

"Everything is updating and downloading without problems," one user wrote.

Other users found that the ban still extends to some local internet service providers (ISPs), but not others. Users previously found that Google services can be downloaded through a virtual private network (VPN).

Unlike Google, Apple reportedly never fully complied with the sanctions, allowing Crimea users to access its AppStore if they set their location to mainland Russia.