Over 1 mln users register in Russian app store NashStore within month
MOSCOW. June 16 (Interfax) - The number of users of the Russian app store NashStore, which commenced operation on May 16, has topped one million, and more than 3.5 million downloads have been performed to date, ANO Digital Platforms, the store developer, told Interfax.
"We take the security of data, applications and infrastructure very seriously, and have deterred more than 4,500 attacks since the opening date," the company press service quoted ANO Digital Platforms General Director Arseny Shcheltsin as saying.
The company is planning to improve the quality of services and to offer new functionalities, such as convenient tools for the search for applications and development, promotion and monetization instruments for developers, Shcheltsin said. "We are closely studying all of the initiatives and proposals received by NashStore," he said.
The most downloaded application in the first month of NashStore operation is 2GIS, which has been installed 203,400 times, followed by VTB-Online (156,200 downloads), and Post of Russia (108,400). Users have also downloaded RuTube (90,600), Alfa-Bank (88,400), Nalogi FL (59,400), E-Apteka (48,900), SberMarket (43,100), AIMP (42,200) and Smotrim (36,700) applications.
According to ANO Digital Platforms, federal and regional executive authorities, including the Russian Foreign Ministry, the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media (Roskomnadzor), the Federal Tax Service, and multifunctional public service centers in various parts of Russia, are actively adding their applications to NashStore. "Our catalogue is growing with numerous games, both from private developers and large publishers, for instance, HeroCraft and 505 Games," the company press service said.
Over 2,000 applications have been uploaded in NashStore. These include bank applications, accommodation booking services, mass media and news portal applications, and online cinemas.
NashStore kicked off on May 16 but users failed to get registered and download applications. The developer explained problems with a severe DDoS attack. The store press service said on May 18 that the NashStore security had been strengthened and service infrastructure had been updated. Over 1,000 applications were available at NashStore on the opening date.
The beta of the RuStore app store, developed by VK together with Russian IT companies with the support from the Russian Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media, was launched on May 25. According to VK General Director Vladimir Kiriyenko, the store will be expanded with application ratings, push notifications and links to payment systems in summer. The store commission for developers is expected to be less than 15%. Digital Development Minister Maksut Shadayev said earlier that RuStore would be added to the list of programs preinstalled in personal computers, Smart TV and mobile devices sold in Russia.
The VK press service said on June 15 that over 500,000 downloads had been performed in RuStore since May 25. Sberbank Online, VK, AliExpress Russia and online cinemas are the most popular of over 400 available applications.
As the Visa and Mastercard payment systems have suspended operation in Russia, it is no longer possible to pay for applications in Google Play and App Store.