We are sorry to announce that we have removed Locus Map 4 and Locus Map 3 Classic from the Russian version of Google Play.
On March 10, 2022, in response to Russian aggression in Ukraine, Google Play stopped the distribution of paid apps, subscription purchases, and in-app purchases on the territory of the Russian Federation. Users thus lost the ability to update apps and renew subscriptions for advanced features.
We supported the decision despite losing not negligible revenue as a consequence. And not only that. We also took an action and immediately provided free offline LoMaps of Ukraine and all countries directly affected by the wave of Ukrainian refugees. We hope it helped the people to navigate their way to safety in foreign locations.
Unfortunately, the download limitations and Ukraine-supporting actions resulted in a wave of indignant reactions and a mass downrating of our apps by Russian users. Support staff was bombarded with name-calling, accusations, and insults on a daily basis. In an attempt to prevent it, we removed the most affected Locus Map Classic from Google Play in the spring, but the problem persisted. Moreover, when we heard rumors that Locus Map was abused for totally unacceptable purposes, the decision to remove all our products from the Russian Google Play was finally made.
So what does that mean exactly for our current Russian users?
Using the app:
- It’s not possible to download any version of Locus Map from Google Play Store anymore.
- The app on your smartphone remains installed unless you uninstall it manually.
- You will not get any updates anymore, so the app will stay on the last version available in Russia.
- The free features will remain usable.
In-app purchases and Premium functions:
- It’s not possible to buy LoCoins for Locus Store purchases or activate Premium features
- If you have already had Premium features enabled they will remain available to you until your Premium plan expires.
- After that, you will not be able to renew the Premium
We understand that there are a lot of peace-loving Russian users who don’t approve of what their military is doing. Many of them even risk losing their freedom or jobs by protesting against the war. Moreover, some of them are involved in active resistance against it. If you are one of them, please contact us via our helpdesk private ticket, we can find a solution on how to get you the app update. Each such request will be considered and verified individually.
Otherwise, we’ve been watching the situation closely and we intend to go on acting in accordance with this decision and with the international sanctions.
P. S.: No, we will not redraw state borders on our maps according to “some” opinions. Such requests are ridiculous.
Google PlayRussia
78 Comments
Good day. I have a problem with loading satellite images from Google maps into the Locus Map Classic program. I used them before the war in Ukraine. But when I cleared the cache I lost them and now I can't download because access is blocked. Please, help. I'm from Ukraine.
Hi Vova, Google Satellite Maps have never been officially in Locus Map Pro or Classic. You probably used some third-party add-on (e.g. Map Tweak) or you added the map as a custom one manually (see https://docs.locusmap.app/doku.php?id=manual:advanced:customization:online_maps) or from some user website (e.g. Anygis.ru).
Yes, very good decision.
Great decision. Best regards.
Good decision. The best solution would be to deactivate every Programm with a last Update.
Good decision and well explained.
Very good decision. Althought sad it needed to be taken.
Congratulations for repeating the mistakes from the past: every German is a Nazi and and every Russian is a friend of Putin and a war supporter! Is it not a better way to put pressure on better on russian government and not on russian people?
Thank you for contribution for thinking in stereotypes! This makes a life much more easier.
If you read the article you surely noticed this paragraph:
"We understand that there are a lot of peace-loving Russian users who don’t approve of what their military is doing. Many of them even risk losing their freedom or jobs by protesting against the war. Moreover, some of them are involved in active resistance against it. If you are one of them, please contact us via our helpdesk private ticket, we can find a solution on how to get you the app update. Each such request will be considered and verified individually."
So, if you feel offended and you are not "a friend of Putin", just let us know and we'll provide the app update for you. With pleasure! ;)
great decision - free ukraina !
You do not have to say you are sorry. It is good to let Russians know thee are very very wrong. Greetingz from NL
Deugpunten voor vandaag weer binnen!
Great decision! I belive it wasn't easy but it is a good decision. Thank You for this!
Correct decision, fully supported.
Putin is the leader of the Russina people, so they should change it.
Great decision, thank you for that. I believe every single small part in contributing to sanctions and weakening Russians makes a difference. You probably save some Ukrainian lives by this step .... Greetings from PL
Ich finde es sehr schön, dass das Locus-Team sich mit Menschen solidarisch zeigt, die sich für Frieden und Demokratie einsetzen.
Ich finde es schrecklich, dass sie dafür beschimpft und beleidigt werden.
Ich freue mich, dass das Locus-Team sich dagegen wehrt.
Ich wünsche dem Locus-Team Freude an der Arbeit und einen ruhigen Schlaf.
Liebes LocusMap-Team für mich klingen die aufgeführten Gründe nicht wirklich nach einer Entscheidung. Das große US-amerikanische Unternehmen Google hat gesagt, wo es lang geht und sie müssen danach handeln. Ich bin gegen jeden Krieg, der auf unserer Welt geführt wird. Aber es ist schon sehr auffällig, wie Russland hier an den Pranger gestellt wird. Und diese Aktion mit dem Verbot der LocusMap betrifft das einfache Volk oder glauben sie ernsthaft, dass das russische Militär kein besseres Navigationssystem besitzt?
Wenn es wirklich ihre Entscheidung gewesen wäre, würde ich sie nicht gut finden.
Wenigstens haben sie eine Hintertür offen gelassen...
Absolut richtig! Danke für Ihren Kommentar. Ich wollte ähnliches schreiben, hätte es aber wohl nicht so treffend formulieren können.
Politik sollte grundsätzlich aus dem Freizeitbereich herausgehalten werden und die Entscheidung des Teams ist sicher nicht freiwillig gewesen.
Darüber hinaus möchte ich dem Locus Team für seine sonst hervorragende Arbeit herzlich danken und ihm weiterhin Erfolg wünschen.
Frieden und Freundschaft, mir i druzhba
Warum soll man sich da heraushalten? Ein Staat führt Krieg und Sie möchten das ignorieren und somit den Diktator und Kriegsverbrecher Putin unterstützen? Erbärmlich in meinen Augen - auf Kosten der ukrainischen Bevölkerung und Ihrer territorialen Intergrität.
Hallo Andreas, dieser Beitrag zeigt klar, wessen Kind Sie sind. Offensichtlich hegen Sie Sympathie für das kriegsauslösende Regime des Herrn Selenzky. PUTIN hat nicht den ersten Schuss abgefeuert, die ukrainische Armee hat jahrelang die eigene Bevölkerung im Donpas beschossen. Wie sagte schon Einstein in einem Briefwechsel vor Beginn des Krieges: Angriff ist manchmal die beste Verteidigung. Und noch was, nochmal; fragen Sie sich einfach "Warum" und wem nützt es.
Natürlich des 2. Weltkrieges.
Herr Weber. Da ich Ihre plumpe, verlogene Hetze als Verleumdung gegenüber Dritten empfinde, welche Sie anscheinend auf die Spitze treiben möchten wähle ich den Rechtsweg.
Sehe ich genauso👍
Sorry NG, aber Russland hat sich selbst an den Pranger gestellt. Und zwar im dem Moment als die russische Armee die Grenze zur Ukraine überschritten hatte.
Wir leben im 21. Jahrhundert, da haben Agressoren, die das Existenzrecht eines Staates in Frage stellen, keinen Platz mehr.
Totally agree!
Gute Entscheidung!
In General, your whole Company with it's people are great. You have an excellent product and also a good communication! Whoever the people write her comments, if it's ok for the reader or not, your explanations are clearly and without interests for any party. I am impressed.
Absolutely correct decision. Wake up, Russia !
You made the right decision. More respect to you.
Good decision! Maybe it will help to wake up more of the RU people.
Perfect decision, respect
Guys, I applaud your decision but the difference between you and me is that I
hate all wars. Wars in Afghanistan by NATO countries lasted almost 20 years, Iraq, Libya, Syria to name a few others and what have you done there? Let me guess, nothing!
Hi, Locus Map didn't exist at that time.
All wars are fought by the mist different countries.
From "online goods" perspective it is a disaster. So if you are on the geographical/political wrong side, you can easily lose products? E. g., western kids, totally uneducated about dirty geopolitics, easily demand Valve to ban Russians from their Steam games. People easily ban and demand things, as long as they're not affected.
Google hat das entschieden! Putin wird stark beeindruckt sein! Es muss Spass machen die Normalbürger in Russland von mittlerweile allem auszugrenzen. Political correctness rules!
Hey guys, in all respect I criticized your decision the other day. Full transparency: I especially disagreed that you decide who can update, like a political committee. Someone else agreed, so it was online. Now my comment is gone. If it was you, please don't remove comments. Thanks.
After all, I don't think russians bashing leads to anything good.
And finally: It is your decision and I will respect it.
Thank you! Nice idea.
Kudos to you for that decision!
Správná věc.Díky
Stay out of politics please.
Respekt vor Eurer Entscheidung!
Die folgende - und heutzutage leider übliche - Hetze muss man aushalten können. Dafür wünsche ich Euch "ein dickes Fell".
The only wise decision you could make was to remain neutral. But no! Not this time.
And to be consistent - you must also exclude citizens of the USA, GB, Israel, some EU countries, also waging wars directly or participating in the supply of weapons, overthrowing legitimate governments and plunging foreign civil societies into blood and chaos, engaging in incitement. Let's remember Syria, Afghanistan, Libya, Serbia, many others... Be fair to the end. Exclude all citizens of these "highly moral" countries too.
Why not?
However, I'm not even upset, fully anticipating your reaction. It is difficult to expect balanced decisions from people who have lost the sovereignty and subjectivity of their states.
As explained in the article, we weren't able to remain neutral here. We were negatively impacted by the situation and this was our only way out to be able to fully focus on the product itself again. Same would say - pure business decision.
But of course, we also have some of our own moral principles - so in case Locus Map is already been used by somebody to help with decrease of such political aggression (yes, we have such cases), we don't want to throw these users overboard with this decision.
What nonsense are you talking???? Did Western countries invade Ukraine? The one who invaded Ukraine is Russia......Have you visited Mariupol, Kharkiv, Kherson and other destroyed cities? Well, and last but not least...in Syria, Afghanistan, Libya, Russia also took part in the fighting...(who knows what was the intention, the goal???) Open your eyes.
I agree with your decisions and thanks for it.
Hallo, den Höhepunkt der antidemokratischen Diskussion hat Herr Selenzky mit seiner Forderung nach einem Einreiseverbot für alle russischen Staatsangehörige gesetzt. Ehe und Familie sind nach dem Grundgesetz der BRD besonders von den staatlichen Organen zu schützen. Wer dieses Verfassungsrecht angreift, aushöhlen will oder beseitigen will, begeht eine Straftat.
Ich bin seit 25 Jahren mit einer russischen Bürgerin verheiratet.
Hier sollte Locus aktiv werden und helfen, die Verfassung der BRD zu schützen.
Locus ist für mich out.
Werner Weber
Russland führt einen Angriffkrieg gegen die ukrainische Bevölkerung und ihre territoriale Integrität Herr Weber. DAS Leid sollte Sie mal interessieren - oder möchten Sie das gar nicht sehen?
Hallo Andreas, Sie machen den gleichen Fehler wie alle unsere Politiker und andere.
Zuerst muss die Frage nach dem "Warum" gestellt werden, dann alle anderen. Und natürlich die Analyse, wem nützt was?!
Wer hat sich zu Wort gemeldet, als im Gewerkschaftshaus auf der Krim die Russen bei lebendigem Leib verbrannt wurden?
Haben Sie das nicht gesehen, oder sehen wollen?
Herr Weber. All das, selbst wenn es stimmen sollte - ist für mich kein Grund einen ANGRIFFSKRIEG gegen einen Staat zu führen. Zumal die russische Propaganda sehr gewieft ist; das sage ich Ihnen als Bürger mit DDR-Erfahrung. Pressefreiheit gab es damals nicht und gibt es auch heute in Russland nicht - im Gegensatz zur Bundesrepublik Deutschland. Gern können Sie weiter jammern und Russland als Opfer darstellen. Was soll das bringen? Es ist eher ebärmlich.
Hallo Herr Andreas,
möglicherweise kommen Sie der Wahrheit etwas näher, wenn Sie die Frage nach dem "Warum" und "Wer" stellen.
Welche Fragen haben Sie denn in Ihrer DDR Erfahrung gestellt?
Offensichtlich leben Sie nicht in dieser Zeit.
Für mich haben Sie sich selbst für eine offe Diskussion disqualifiziert, deshalb beende ich an dieser Stelle die Diskussion mit Ihnen.
Wie soll denn sonst Druck auf Putin ausgeübt werden?
Solange für den Bürger in Russland alles weiter geht wie bisher, ändert sich nichts.
Ich halte die Entscheidung von Locus für absolut richtig.
Wunderbar!
Sicher ist es auch in Ihrem Interesse, dass der Krieg so bald wie möglich endet. Wirken Sie bitte über Ihre engen Kontakte zu Ihren Verwandten im demokratischen Russland darauf hin.
Denen wird sicher nichts passieren, wenn sie sich vor Ort für Frieden und den Abzug der russischen Truppen einsetzen, denn der Schutz von Ehe und Familie genießt wohl auch in Russland hohe Priorität.
Hallo Marcel,
Ihren Ausführungen kann ich mich im wesentlichen anschließen. Ich hätte mir gewünscht, daß diese Militäraktion nie hätte stattfinden müssen. Bei Umsetzung des Abkommens, welches auch von dem damaligen deutschen Außenminister Herr Steinmeier vermittelt wurde, stünden wir wohl nicht da, wo wir heute sind. Die Hoffnung stirbt zuletzt, davor leider viele Menschen auf beiden Seiten.
Mit Sicherheit keine leichte aber in meinen Augen eine folgerichtige Entscheidung - seitdem Russland einen Angriffkrieg in Europa, gegen die Ukraine, führt. Weiterhin viel Erfolg liebes Locus-Team und Danke für Eure bisher geleistete Arbeit.
Great decision! Thank you for supporting the bright side.
Good decision ! Absolutely agree !
Yes, the Fascist authorities (NATO countries and, first of all, Germany) did the right thing by imposing sanctions against themselves. Yes, the author of the application removed his applications from our market, but this does not mean that we will not use the latest version of the application, on the contrary ,we use all the paid features of the application - for free (thanks to the well-known sphere - piracy), so we are in +, and the developers are at the bottom.
Ihre Bereitschaft, die Solidarität mit dem angegriffenen Land höher zu gewichten als das berechtigte Streben nach Gewinn verdient Respekt.
Lassen Sie sich nicht von den Stimmen irritieren, die Täter zu Opfern erklären.
Ridicule, mais bon c'est dans la droite ligne du narratif actuel...
In your place (in the place of developers), we would demand compensation from Google. Google, on the contrary, has done better for Russia and for Belarus, piracy has increased in these countries, thereby, Russians and Belarusians use applications for free (bypassing Google).Piracy has not bypassed your applications.
Gute Entscheidung, gut erklärt!
Great decision, well explained!
I am sorry to say but this is double standard. There are many issues in the world that involve America, Europe and Israel as the invaders. Don't bring politics into software or hobbies please. Let us live in peace. The Ukraine and Russia started during Clinton time and not now!
I don't think this decision makes the world a better place (but who knows?). What will it achieve?
Russian citizens are not in control of what the government does, they suffer as well and all these small actions make their life more difficult and push them away.
It's probably good for marketing, though, the customers seem to support it.
We will be able to return our full focus to keep making our product better. That's what we love to do. Simple as that. Because we think and hope, that Locus Map makes the world a better place for some.
vraticete se vi na rusko trziste cim se zavrsi specijalna vojna operacija u Donbasu. Dupli standardi. Jeste li izbacili USA zbog invazije na Irak, Siriju, Libiju? Cekam odgovor
Russians used to pay for your software, but now they won't, that's it. ;) Upgrades, as well as maps, are available on torrents
Bunch of hypocrites...
You never leaved the most corrupted country on earth, with the worst human Trafficking market scenario.
Not even when they were the ones who started the conflict 8 years ago.
Hello. Can you organize a rally against your government, which buys you gas and oil from Russia and supports the war with you? Hypocrites.You are the next motherfuckers and puppets of the United States.
Good decision and well explained. Absolutely agree!
U Ruského agresora nelze „mapovat" mírutvornost místních obyvatel. Všudypřítomná cenzura a diktátorské politické uskupení opakovaně chrlí nepravdivé informace a lži jak na běžícím pásu, a tvrdě potírají vše co oponuje. Ti, kteří nesouhlasí s agresí na Ukrajině, by se měli více odvážnými činy zasloužit o změnu režimu. Jasný příklad hrdinství ukazují nyní ukrajinští obránci na bitevních polí. Západ a ostatní země se musí snažit o zastavení a izolaci tohoto nádorového bujení.
Podem disponibilizar uma versão para IOS… por favor.
It is worth recalling that in the Second World War (1939-1945) against the German troops held out:
Denmark - 6 hours; Luxembourg - 1 day; Holland - 5 days; Yugoslavia - 11 days; Belgium - 18 days; Greece - 24 days; Poland - 27 days; France - 1 month and 12 days; Norway - 2 months and 1 day.
Pavlov's house in Stalingrad lasted 58 days. The Soviet Union held out for four years (1,418 days) and ended the war in the enemy's lair - Germany capitulated.
Russia (USSR), could take all the territories. But Russia has returned all the occupied lands. Russia does not need foreign territories. At the moment, all of the above countries have their own borders. "Thank you" for remembering this.
How many countries the US attacked you can find yourself. But you won't do it because you don't want to see it. I will give an example for the last 30 years:
1991 – bombing of Kuwait.
1992-1994 – occupation of Somalia.
1992 – Genocide and terror during the seizure of Angola's natural resources.
1993-1995 – bombing of Yugoslavia.
1994-1996 – terror against Iraq.
1998 – destruction of a pharmaceutical factory in Sudan by a missile strike.
1998 – bombing of Iraq.
1999 – aggression against Yugoslavia.
2001 – invasion of Afghanistan.
2003 - overthrow of the government and occupation of Iraq.
2004 - the entry of troops into Haiti.
2008 - invasion of Pakistan.
2008 - The war in South Ossetia.
2011 - The war in Libya.
2013 - The war in Syria.
2014 - War, terror and genocide in Ukraine.
2015 - support for terrorism in Syria
You've made a great app. I have used it, I use it and I will use it. There are various workarounds. I use honest, I pay for a subscription. Other users use pirated versions of the software. You don't get the benefit, users from Russia don't get the full service. It's bad for everyone, but it won't affect the political situation in any way. I wish prosperity to your business.
Hi Dmitriy, thank you for an excursion to the Russian view of history. The truth is however different. Just one example for all others - WWII was triggered by both Germany and USSR after the pact of Ribentropp-Molotov followed by an attack on Poland (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invasion_of_Poland). “Thank you” for remembering this.
Hello Michal, you are "reading between the lines". It was a forced step. Germany was going to attack the USSR. In the middle of the text, according to the link you provided, it says that Germany offered Poland to attack the USSR. Poland refused to help Germany, that's a fact. But war was inevitable. Everyone knew that. However, after the war Poland got its country back.
Why are you looking only at Russia? And do not impose restrictions on Israel (https://duplicitousdemocracy .files.wordpress.com/2017/10/israel-palestine_map_19225_2469-1.jpg)
Don't impose restrictions on the USA? What made the USA I wrote above. Because it's so convenient for you?
Dmitry, sorry but I'm not interested in the Russian way of describing history. Because I grew up in a democratic part of the world without censorship, with full free access to any information, I prefer the other one, described by the rest of the world. Now I'm looking at Russia because Russia is attacking another sovereign state, Russia is killing and looting its civilians, Russia is bombing their civil infrastructure, schools, hospitals, and maternity wards, and Russia is threatening our world with nuclear annihilation if we attempt to stop Russia's killing. I assume you are expecting to be drafted for military service soon as your dictator declared the mobilization. Wish you good luck.
Sehr gute Entscheidungen sich vom russischen Markt (vorerst) zu entfernen,
die Handreiche an die friedliebenden ist nur fair.
Schade das Euer Planner nicht mit der Classic Version funktioniert.
Und schade das solche Pfeiffen wie "Dmitriy" hier versuchen ihre Bühne zu haben.
Peace & Grüße
Hi, Dmitriy is just a victim of Russian propaganda. We pity him.