VK (service)

File:VKontakte Number of Registered users 120224.png

File:Pavel Durov 26years.jpg, the founder of VKontakte, on his 26th birthday, 10 October 2010]]

VKontakte was conceived in 2006 when Pavel Durov, creator of the popular student forum spbgu.ru, met his former classmate Vyacheslav Mirilashvili in St. Petersburg after graduating from the Faculty of Philology at St Petersburg State University. Vyacheslav showed Durov the increasingly popular Facebook, after which the friends decided to create a new Russian social network. Lev Leviev, an Israeli classmate of Vyacheslav Mirilashivili, became the third co-founder. Vyacheslav Mirilashvili borrowed the money from his billionaire father and became the largest shareholder. Lev Leviev took over operational management, and Durov became CEO. Pavel Durov attracted his older brother Nikolai, a multiple winner of international math and programming competitions, to develop the site.{{cite news|url= https://www.svoboda.org/a/30219424.html |title= История рунета. Бизнес: ОК, ВК и все-все-все |author= Andrei Loshak |newspaper= Радио Свобода |date= 2019-10-16 |publisher= Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |language=Russian |access-date=2024-04-17 }}{{cite web|url= https://www.forbes.ru/ekonomika/kompanii/69666-kod-pavla-durova |title= Код Павла Дурова |date= 2011-06-24 |work= Forbes |language=Russian |access-date=2024-04-17 }}

Durov launched VKontakte for beta testing in September 2006. The following month, the domain name Vkontakte.ru was registered.{{sfn| Friedrichsen| Mühl-Benninghaus|2013|p=406}} The new project was incorporated on 19 January 2007 as a Russian private limited company. In February 2007 the site reached a user base of over 100,000 and was recognized as the second largest company in Russia's nascent social network market. In the same month, the site was subjected to a severe DDoS attack, which briefly put it offline. The user base reached 1 million in July 2007, and 10 million in April 2008. In December 2008 VK overtook rival Odnoklassniki as Russia's most popular social networking service.{{Cite news|url=http://www.mynewsdesk.com/fi/blog_posts/vkontakte-remains-more-popular-than-facebook-in-russia-26403|title=Vkontakte Remains more popular than Facebook in Russia|work=Mynewsdesk|access-date=7 August 2018|archive-date=7 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807220706/http://www.mynewsdesk.com/fi/blog_posts/vkontakte-remains-more-popular-than-facebook-in-russia-26403|url-status=live}}

File:Vkontakte.png

Similar to many social networks, the platform's fundamental features revolve around private messaging, sharing photos, posting status updates, and exchanging links with friends. VK also provides tools for administering online communities and managing celebrity pages. The site allows its users to upload, search and stream media content, such as videos and music. VK features an advanced search engine, that allows complex queries for finding friends, as well as a real-time news search. VK updated its features and design in April 2016.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mbgadget.com/2016/08/vkcom-new-interface.html|title=VK.com New Interface, Design, Looks & Tips|access-date=22 August 2016|archive-date=18 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918163711/http://www.mbgadget.com/2016/08/vkcom-new-interface.html|url-status=live}}

• Messaging. VK Private Messages can be exchanged between groups of 2 to 500 people. An email address can also be specified as the recipient. Each message may contain up to 10 attachments: Photos, Videos, Audio Files, Maps (an embedded map with a manually placed marker), and Documents.Supported are the formats: doc, docx, xls, xlsx, ppt, pptx, rtf, pdf, png, jpg, gif, psd, mp3, djvu, fb2, ps and archives containing these formats. Executable files and files over 200 Mb are not allowed. Video chat is also available (for users who allow incoming calls) since 2012.
• News. VK users can post on their profile walls, each post may contain up to 10 attachments – media files, maps, and documents (see above). User mentions and hashtags are supported. In the case of multiple photo attachments, the previews are automatically scaled and arranged in a magazine-style layout. The news feed can be switched between all news (default) and most interesting modes. The site features a news-recommendation engine, global real-time search, and individual search for posts and comments on specific users' walls.
• Communities. VK features three types of communities. Groups are better suited for decentralized communities (discussion boards, wiki-style articles, editable by all members, etc.). Public pages is a news feed-orientated broadcasting tool for celebrities and businesses. The two types are largely interchangeable, the main difference being in the default settings. The third type of community is called Events, which are used for appropriately organizing concerts and events in an appropriate way.{{Cite web|url=https://vk.com/pages?oid=-59800369&p=%D0%92%D1%8B%D0%B1%D0%BE%D1%80_%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B0_%D1%81%D0%BE%D0%BE%D0%B1%D1%89%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%B0|title=Types of community pages|website=vk.com|access-date=20 February 2018|archive-date=17 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200317235028/https://vk.com/pages?oid=-59800369&p=%D0%92%D1%8B%D0%B1%D0%BE%D1%80_%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B0_%D1%81%D0%BE%D0%BE%D0%B1%D1%89%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%B0|url-status=live}}

File:Мне нравится.jpg

• Like buttons. VK like buttons for posts, comments, media, and external sites operate differently from Facebook. Liked content doesn't get automatically pushed to the user's wall, but is saved in the private Favorites section instead. The user has to press a second 'share with friends' button to share an item on their wall or send it via private message to a friend.
• Privacy. Users can control the availability of their content within the network and on the Internet. Blanket and granular privacy settings are available for pages and individual content.
• Synchronization with other social networks. Any news published on the VK wall will appear on Facebook or Twitter. Certain news may not be published by clicking on the logo next to the "Send" button. Editing a post in VK does not change the post in Facebook or Twitter and vice versa. However, removing the news in VK will remove it from other social networks.
• SMS service. Russian users can receive and reply to a private message or leave a comment for community news using SMS.
• Music. Users have access to the audio files uploaded by other users. In addition, users can upload the audio files themselves, create playlists and share audios with others by attaching to messages and wall posts. The uploaded audio files cannot violate copyright laws.{{Cite web|url=https://vk.com/blog/vkmusic|title=Vkontakte Music 2.0|website=vk.com|access-date=20 February 2018|archive-date=8 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170508111607/https://vk.com/blog/vkmusic|url-status=live}}

As of May 2017, according to Alexa Internet ranking, VK is one of the most visited websites in some Eurasian countries. It is:

• 4th most visited in Russia;{{cite web | url=https://www.alexa.com/topsites/countries/RU | title=Alexa - top sites in Russia | publisher=Alexa.com | access-date=31 May 2017 | archive-date=3 April 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090403051929/https://www.alexa.com/topsites/countries/RU | url-status=live }}
• 3rd most visited in Belarus;{{cite web | url=https://www.alexa.com/topsites/countries/BY | title=Alexa - top sites in Belarus | publisher=Alexa.com | access-date=31 May 2017 | archive-date=3 April 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090403040639/https://www.alexa.com/topsites/countries/BY | url-status=live }}
• 6th most visited in Kazakhstan;{{cite web | url=https://www.alexa.com/topsites/countries/KZ | title=Alexa - top sites in Kazakhstan | publisher=Alexa.com | access-date=31 May 2017 | archive-date=3 April 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090403041732/https://www.alexa.com/topsites/countries/KZ | url-status=live }}
• 8th most visited in Kyrgyzstan{{cite web | url=https://www.alexa.com/topsites/countries/KG | title=Alexa - top sites in Kyrgyzstan | publisher=Alexa.com | access-date=31 May 2017 | archive-date=3 April 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090403041632/https://www.alexa.com/topsites/countries/KG | url-status=live }} and Moldova;{{cite web | url=https://www.alexa.com/topsites/countries/MD | title=Alexa - top sites in Moldova | publisher=Alexa.com | access-date=31 May 2017 | archive-date=3 April 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090403042044/https://www.alexa.com/topsites/countries/MD | url-status=live }}
• 12th most visited in Latvia.{{cite web | url=https://www.alexa.com/topsites/countries/LV | title=Alexa - top sites in Latvia | publisher=Alexa.com | access-date=31 May 2017 | archive-date=3 April 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090403030721/https://www.alexa.com/topsites/countries/LV | url-status=live }}

It was the fourth most viewed site in Ukraine until, in May 2017, the Ukrainian government banned the use of VK in Ukraine. According to a study for May 2018 conducted by Factum Group Ukraine VK remained the fourth most viewed site in Ukraine, but Facebook was twice as much visited.[https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/511662.html Banned VK social network remains fourth in Internet traffic in Ukraine in May] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130004557/https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/511662.html |date=30 November 2020 }}, Interfax-Ukraine (13 June 2018) For 2019, VK appeared as the most visited social network in Ukraine according to Alexa.{{cite web | url=https://www.alexa.com/topsites/countries/UA | title=Alexa - top sites in Ukraine | publisher=Alexa.com | access-date=9 August 2019 | archive-date=3 April 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090403052252/https://www.alexa.com/topsites/countries/UA | url-status=live }} According to the Internet Association of Ukraine the share of Ukrainian Internet users who visit VK daily had fallen from 54% to 10% from September 2016 to September 2019.{{in lang|uk}} [https://www.epravda.com.ua/publications/2019/11/14/653664/ Three years without VKontakte: what social networks do Ukrainians prefer] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191114085918/https://www.epravda.com.ua/publications/2019/11/14/653664/ |date=14 November 2019 }}, Ukrayinska Pravda (14 November 2019) They also claimed in November 2019 that Facebook was the most popular social network.

VK was expected to gain most of the users lost by Facebook and Instagram after they were blocked in Russia in 2022, according to a Calltouch poll.{{cite news|url=https://rg.ru/2022/03/23/bolshinstvo-rossiian-gotovy-perejti-v-otechestvennye-socseti.html|title=Rossiyskaya Gazeta: Most Russians ready to move to domestic social media platforms|date=2022-03-24|newspaper=Rossiyskaya Gazeta|access-date=24 March 2022|archive-date=20 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420222757/https://rg.ru/2022/03/23/bolshinstvo-rossiian-gotovy-perejti-v-otechestvennye-socseti.html|url-status=live}}

File:Дом компании "Зингер", вид с противоположного здания.jpg in Saint Petersburg (Singer House)]]

Initially, founder and CEO Pavel Durov owned 20% of shares (although he had majority voting power through proxy votes), and a trio of Russian-Israeli investors Yitzchak Mirilashvili, his father Mikhael Mirilashvili, and Lev Leviev{{cite web |url=http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000837139&fid=1725 |title=Lev Leviev sells Russian social network stake |publisher=Globes |date=18 April 2013 |access-date=24 August 2013 |archive-date=6 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130706172334/http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000837139&fid=1725 |url-status=live }} owned 60%, 10%, and 10% respectively.{{cite web | script-title=ru:Кто в контакте | url = http://www.vedomosti.ru/newspaper/article/142644/ | publisher = Vedomosti | date = 29 February 2008 | access-date = 16 April 2011 |language = ru }}

In 2007, Digital Sky Technologies, an investment company managed by Yuri Milner, acquired a total of 24.99% of the shares from shareholders, investing $16.3 million. In preparation for the IPO in September 2010, DST separated international and Russian assets: the former formed the DST Global fund, while the latter, including VKontakte and rival social network Odnoklassniki, were merged into Mail.ru Group. Mail.ru Group used part of the money to acquire 7.5% of the social network for $112.5 million at a valuation of the entire project of 1.5 billion dollars. After exercising a 7.5% option in July 2011 for $111.7 million, Mail.ru Group accumulated a 39.99% stake in VKontakte.{{cite web|url= https://www.forbes.ru/kompanii/internet-telekom-i-media/252431-teatr-durova-pochemu-osnovatel-vkontakte-proigral-bitvu-za|title= Театр Дурова: почему основатель «ВКонтакте» проиграл битву за социальную сеть |date= 2014-03-20 |work= Forbes |language=Russian |access-date=2024-04-17 }}{{cite web | title = Exercise of Option | url = http://corp.mail.ru/en/IR/news/1125 | publisher = Mail.ru Group | date = 14 July 2011 | access-date = 29 July 2011 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111006195703/http://corp.mail.ru/en/IR/news/1125 | archive-date = 6 October 2011 }}{{cite web | title = Vkontakte.ru shareholder structure unveiled | url = http://www.ewdn.com/2011/08/06/vkontakte-ru-shareholder-structure-unveiled | publisher = East-West Digital News | date = 6 August 2011 | access-date = 14 November 2012 | archive-date = 27 September 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110927181126/http://www.ewdn.com/2011/08/06/vkontakte-ru-shareholder-structure-unveiled | url-status = live }}

The head of Mail.ru Group, Dmitry Grishin, voiced the company's intention to gain 100% control over VKontakte. MRG was discussing with shareholders to buy out shares from the valuation of the entire company in $2-3 billion. In the summer of 2011, Mirilashvili and Leviev were ready to accept in payment owned by Mail.ru Group shares of Facebook, Groupon, and Zynga, but the deal failed due to Durov's unwillingness to sell a stake on MRG terms. Later, the co-founders considered VKontakte's IPO as an alternative. In March 2012, Durov "accidentally" became plugged into the negotiations where Mirilashvili and Leviev discussed selling their stakes directly to Mail.ru Group's main investor, Alisher Usmanov. On the same day, Durov deleted the pages of the first co-investors, stopped contacting them, and soon announced that VKontakte would postpone its IPO indefinitely.{{cite web|url= https://thebell.io/lev-leviev-vpervye-rasskazal-svoyu-versiyu-prodazhi-vkontakte|title= Лев Левиев впервые рассказал свою версию продажи «ВКонтакте» |date= 2019-11-01 |publisher= The Bell|access-date=2024-04-17 }}

On 29 May 2012, Mail.ru Group announced its decision to yield control of the company to Durov by offering him the voting rights on its shares. Combined with Durov's personal 12% stake, this gave him 52% of the votes.{{cite web|title=Shareholder Mail.ru Group yields control to founder|date=30 May 2012|url=http://www.ewdn.com/2012/05/30/vkontaktes-ipo-postponed-indefinitely-shareholder-mail-ru-group-yields-control-to-founder/|access-date=30 May 2012|publisher=ewdn.com|archive-date=2 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120602044104/http://www.ewdn.com/2012/05/30/vkontaktes-ipo-postponed-indefinitely-shareholder-mail-ru-group-yields-control-to-founder/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Russia's VKontakte delays IPO after Facebook debacle|date=29 May 2012|first=John|last=Bowker|publisher=Reuters|location=Moscow|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/net-us-russia-internet-idUSBRE84S0LE20120529|access-date=31 May 2012|archive-date=23 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123032423/http://www.reuters.com/article/net-us-russia-internet-idUSBRE84S0LE20120529|url-status=live}}

In April 2013, the Mirilashvili family sold its 40% share in VK to United Capital Partners for $1.12 billion,{{cite news |url=http://www.haaretz.com/business/.premium-1.527800 |title=The richest Israelis got NIS 10 billion richer in 2013 |newspaper=Haaretz |publisher=Haaretz.com |access-date=23 February 2015 |archive-date=27 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130727004452/http://www.haaretz.com/business/.premium-1.527800 |url-status=live }}{{Citation | url = http://www.interfax.com/newsinf.asp?id=410768 | title = UCP closes deal to buy 48% of Vkontakte from Mirilashvili, Leviev | newspaper = interfax | access-date = 14 February 2014 | archive-date = 23 June 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190623231937/http://www.interfax.com/newsinf.asp?id=410768 | url-status = dead }} while Lev Leviev sold his 8% share in the same deal, giving United Capital Partners 48% ownership. In January 2014, VK's founder Pavel Durov sold his 12% stake in the company to Ivan Tavrin, the CEO of MegaFon, which is controlled by Alisher Usmanov. Following the deal, Usmanov and his allies controlled around 52% of the company.{{cite web|title=Usmanov tightens hold on Russian social net VKontakte as founder sells stake|url=http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/business/technology/a/21024349/usmanov-tightens-hold-on-russian-social-net-vkontakte-as-founder-sells-stake/|publisher=The West Australian (Reuters)|access-date=18 February 2014|author=Maria Kiselyova|date=24 January 2014 |archive-date=1 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301065834/http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/business/technology/a/21024349/usmanov-tightens-hold-on-russian-social-net-vkontakte-as-founder-sells-stake/|url-status=live}} Shortly thereafter, the CEO of Megafon, sold his 12% stake to Mail.ru, thus allowing Mail.ru to consolidate its controlling stake of 52% in VK.{{cite news|title=Mail.Ru Secures Control of VKontakte|url=https://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304747404579446634205590924|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=18 March 2014|author=Olga Razumovskaya|date=18 March 2014|archive-date=18 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140318234202/https://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304747404579446634205590924|url-status=live}}

On 1 April 2014, Durov submitted his resignation to the board; at first, due to the fact the company confirmed he had resigned, it was believed to be related to the Russo-Ukrainian War which began in the previous February.[http://phys.org/news/2014-04-russian-facebook-founder-resigns-april.html "No joke as 'Russian Facebook' founder resigns amid dispute (Update)"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308044820/http://phys.org/news/2014-04-russian-facebook-founder-resigns-april.html |date=8 March 2016 }}. Published 1 April 2014. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
[https://techcrunch.com/2014/04/01/founder-pavel-durov-says-hes-stepped-down-as-head-of-russias-top-social-network-vk-com/ Pavel Durov Resigns As Head Of Russian Social Network VK.com, Ukraine Conflict Was The Tipping Point] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708015523/https://techcrunch.com/2014/04/01/founder-pavel-durov-says-hes-stepped-down-as-head-of-russias-top-social-network-vk-com/ |date=8 July 2017 }}. Published 1 April 2014. Retrieved 29 February 2016. However, Durov himself claimed it was an April Fool's Joke on 3 April 2014.[http://archive.rusbase.com/news/author/benhopkins/thanks-for-all-the-fish/ Going, going, gone - Pavel Durov quits VK] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306035411/http://archive.rusbase.com/news/author/benhopkins/thanks-for-all-the-fish/ |date=6 March 2016 }}. Rusbase. Published 2 April 2014. No update time given. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
[http://www.themoscowtimes.com/article/497468.html Founder of Social Network VK Pavel Durov Says Resignation as CEO was April Fools' Prank] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304100611/http://www.themoscowtimes.com/article/497468.html |date=4 March 2016 }}. The Moscow Times. Published at midnight Moscow Time (MST) on 4 April 2014. Last modified at 7:26 MST. Retrieved 29 February 2016. On 21 April 2014, Durov was dismissed as CEO, claiming he failed to withdraw his letter of resignation a month earlier.{{cite web |url=http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/vkontakte-founder-pavel-durov-learns-hes-been-fired-through-media/498641.html |title=Vkontakte Founder Pavel Durov Learns He's Been Fired Through Media | Business |publisher=The Moscow Times |date=22 April 2014 |access-date=23 February 2015 |archive-date=23 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140423220735/http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/vkontakte-founder-pavel-durov-learns-hes-been-fired-through-media/498641.html |url-status=live }} Durov then claimed the company had been effectively taken over by Vladimir Putin's political faction, suggesting his dismissal was the result of both his refusal to hand over personal details of users to federal law enforcement and his refusal to hand over the personal details of people who were members of a VKontakte group dedicated to the Euromaidan protest movement. Durov then left Russia and stated that he had "no plans to go back" and that "the country is incompatible with Internet business at the moment".[https://techcrunch.com/2014/04/22/durov-out-for-good-from-vk-com-plans-a-mobile-social-network-outside-russia/ "Durov, Out For Good From VK.com, Plans A Mobile Social Network Outside Russia"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706180259/https://techcrunch.com/2014/04/22/durov-out-for-good-from-vk-com-plans-a-mobile-social-network-outside-russia/ |date=6 July 2017 }}, TechCrunch, 22 April 2014.

On 16 September 2014, the Mail.ru group bought the remaining 48% stake of VK from United Capital Partners (UCP){{cite news|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f0e851d6-3db7-11e4-b175-00144feabdc0.html/|title=Mail.ru deal firms control over VKontakte|work=Financial Times|date=16 September 2014|access-date=1 February 2017|url-access=subscription|archive-date=21 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140921092129/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f0e851d6-3db7-11e4-b175-00144feabdc0.html/|url-status=live}} for $1.5 billion, thus becoming the sole proprietor of the social network.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/russia-mailru-group-vkontakte-idUSL6N0RH28K20140916|title=Russia's Mail.Ru buys remaining stake in VKontakte for $1.5 bln|work=Reuters|date=16 September 2014|access-date=20 January 2015|archive-date=21 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621092258/https://www.reuters.com/article/russia-mailru-group-vkontakte-idUSL6N0RH28K20140916|url-status=live}}

In December 2021, Russian state-owned bank Gazprombank and insurance company Sogaz bought out 57.3% of VK shares, thus becoming the holders of the company's controlling interest.{{cite web

|url = https://thebell.io/en/russia-takes-direct-control-of-top-social-media-networks/

|title = Russia takes direct control of top social media networks

|author =

|date = December 6, 2021

|publisher = The Bell

|access-date = April 14, 2022

|archive-date = 14 April 2022

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220414160724/https://thebell.io/en/russia-takes-direct-control-of-top-social-media-networks/

|url-status = live

}}{{cite web

|url = https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/12/03/gazprom-gains-control-of-russias-top-social-network-a75724

|title = Gazprom Gains Control of Russia's Top Social Network

|author =

|date = December 3, 2021

|publisher = The Moscow Times

|access-date = April 14, 2022

|archive-date = 14 April 2022

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220414160724/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/12/03/gazprom-gains-control-of-russias-top-social-network-a75724

|url-status = live

}}

In 2008, the leading Russian television channel TV Russia (TV channel name RTR used in 1991–2002, then Russia 1) and television company VGTRK sued VKontakte (then VK) over unlicensed copies of two of its films which had been uploaded by VK users. In 2010, this dispute was settled by the Russian High Arbitration Court in favour of the social network. The court ruled that VK is not responsible for its users’ copyright violations, taking into account that both parties agreed with the technical possibility to identify the user who posted illegal content and who, consequently, must incur the liability.{{cite news|title=Russian court rules social network not responsible for user copyright violations|url=http://www.ewdn.com/2011/03/16/russian-court-rules-social-network-not-responsible-for-user-copyright-violations/|access-date=17 September 2012|newspaper=ewdn.com|date=16 March 2011|archive-date=22 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022144954/http://www.ewdn.com/2011/03/16/russian-court-rules-social-network-not-responsible-for-user-copyright-violations/|url-status=live}} Another ruling early in 2012 went partially in favor of Gala Records (now Warner Music Russia), a recording studio, when the same court ordered VK to pay $7000 for not being active enough in regard to copyrighted materials.{{cite news|title=Vkontakte.ru too "passive" with copyright infringement, says arbitration court|url=http://www.ewdn.com/2012/02/22/vkontakte-ru-too-passive-with-copyright-infringement-says-arbitration-court/|newspaper=ewdn.com|date=22 February 2012|access-date=18 September 2012|archive-date=21 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121112602/https://www.ewdn.com/2012/02/22/vkontakte-ru-too-passive-with-copyright-infringement-says-arbitration-court/|url-status=live}}

VK offers a content removal tool for copyright holders.{{cite web |url=http://vk.com/dmca |title=Copyright Violation Notification |publisher=Vk.com |access-date=6 January 2013 |archive-date=12 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111012205641/http://vk.com/dmca |url-status=live }}{{Cite news|url=https://www.artistic-license.org/takedowns/vk-com-takedown-process/|title=VK.com TakeDown Process {{!}} Artistic License|work=Artistic License|access-date=5 July 2018|archive-date=26 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026175043/http://www.artistic-license.org/takedowns/vk-com-takedown-process/|url-status=live}} Large-scale copyright holders may gain access to bulk content removal tools.{{cite news|title=TNT removes its videos from Vkontakte|url=http://lenta.ru/news/2010/11/10/tnt/|newspaper=Lenta.ru|date=10 November 2010|language=ru|access-date=18 September 2012|archive-date=22 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122084540/https://lenta.ru/news/2010/11/10/tnt/|url-status=live}}

Since 2010, VK has also entered several partnerships with legal content providers such as television networks.{{cite news|title=CTC Media clamps down on piracy|url=http://www.ewdn.com/2011/06/20/ctc-media-clamps-down-on-piracy/|access-date=17 September 2012|newspaper=ewdn.com|date=20 June 2011|archive-date=16 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616022456/http://www.ewdn.com/2011/06/20/ctc-media-clamps-down-on-piracy/|url-status=live}} and streaming providers.{{cite news|title=Vkontakte to replace pirated video with legal content|url=http://lenta.ru/news/2010/11/25/video/|newspaper=Lenta.ru|date=25 November 2010|access-date=18 September 2012|archive-date=22 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122102244/https://lenta.ru/news/2010/11/25/video/|url-status=live}} Most notably, the Video on Demand provider Ivi.ru that has secured licensing rights with all Hollywood majors in 2012.{{cite news|title=Russian Online Video Service ivi.ru Inks Deals with Hollywood Majors|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/russian-online-video-service-iviru-317483|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|date=27 April 2012|access-date=20 February 2020|archive-date=7 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107173815/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/russian-online-video-service-iviru-317483|url-status=live}} These partnerships allow providers to remove user-uploaded content from VK and substitute it with legal embedded copies from the provider's site.{{cite news|title=Interview with Oleg Tumanov, Ivi.ru CEO|url=http://www.rbcdaily.ru/2012/05/14/media/562949983821661|newspaper=RBC Daily|date=14 May 2012|language=ru|access-date=18 September 2012|archive-date=1 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121101132335/http://www.rbcdaily.ru/2012/05/14/media/562949983821661|url-status=live}} This legal content can be either ad-sponsored, subscription-based, or free, depending on the provider's choices. VK does not display its own advertising in the site's music or video sections, nor in the videos themselves. In October 2013, VKontakte was cleared of copyright infringement charges by a court in Saint Petersburg. The judge ruled that the social network is not responsible for the content uploaded by its users.{{cite web |author=Andy |url=https://torrentfreak.com/russian-facebook-not-responsible-for-users-pirate-music-uploads-131026/ |title=Russian Facebook Not Responsible For Users' Pirate Music Uploads |publisher=Torrentfreak.com |date=26 October 2013 |access-date=21 June 2014 |archive-date=29 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029195857/https://torrentfreak.com/russian-facebook-not-responsible-for-users-pirate-music-uploads-131026/ |url-status=live }}

In November 2014, the head of the Roskomnadzor, Maxim Ksenzov, said that VKontakte would complete the process of legalization of the content at the beginning of 2015. At that time (November 2014), negotiations between major label companies and the social network VKontakte were ongoing.{{cite web |url=http://www.macdigger.ru/macall/vkontakte-udalit-ves-piratskij-kontent-v-nachale-2015-goda.html |title="ВКонтакте" удалит весь пиратский контент в начале 2015 года | MacDigger - Новости из мира Apple |publisher=Macdigger.ru |date=20 November 2014 |access-date=23 February 2015 |archive-date=5 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205044112/http://www.macdigger.ru/macall/vkontakte-udalit-ves-piratskij-kontent-v-nachale-2015-goda.html |url-status=live }}

Because the social network is one of the most popular and visited sites in runet, its visits can be used to make DDoS attacks on smaller sites.

VK performed DDOS attacks on certain sites, making users' browsers send multiple requests to the target site without their consent. The targets were the Runet Prize voting page in 2008{{cite web|url=http://habrahabr.ru/post/43171|title=ВКонтакте против "Премии рунета"|date=24 October 2008 |publisher=Habrahabr.ru|access-date=20 January 2015|archive-date=21 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120421101013/http://habrahabr.ru/post/43171|url-status=live}} and the CAPTCHA-solving service antigate.com in 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.securitylab.ru/news/423743.php|title="ÂÊîíòàêòå" îñóùåñòâèë DDoS àòàêó íà ñàéò antigate.com|date=26 April 2012|publisher=Securitylab.ru|access-date=20 January 2015|archive-date=27 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120427051158/http://www.securitylab.ru/news/423743.php|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://habrahabr.ru/post/142836|title=ВКонтакте ддосит antigate.com|publisher=Habrahabr.ru|access-date=20 January 2015|archive-date=27 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120427211043/http://habrahabr.ru/post/142836|url-status=live}} It was done by inserting an iframe and a piece of JavaScript code which periodically reloaded the iframe. As a countermeasure, antigate was detecting whether iframe was loaded from VK and if it were antigate had redirected request to xHamster, a pornography website. VK needed to cease the attack due to the site's use by children. VK tried to use XMLHttpRequest to solve this problem, but had forgotten about the same-origin policy. They succeeded in stopping the attack, though there were many ways to solve the problem with redirect{{Original research inline|date=March 2018}}.

Durov was dismissed as CEO in April 2014 after he had failed to retract a letter of resignation. Durov contended that the resignation letter was an April fools prank. Durov then claimed Vladimir Putin's allies had, in effect, taken over the company,{{cite web|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-04-22/news/49318882_1_social-network-vkontakte-pavel-durov-founder-mark-zuckerberg |title=Pavel Durov left Russia after being pushed out|access-date=23 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424024304/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-04-22/news/49318882_1_social-network-vkontakte-pavel-durov-founder-mark-zuckerberg |archive-date=24 April 2014 }}{{cite news |last=Toor |first=Amar |url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/4/22/5638980/russias-largest-social-network-is-under-the-control-of-putins-allies |title=Russia's largest social network is under the control of Putin's allies, founder says |date=22 April 2014 |publisher=The Verge |access-date=23 February 2015 |archive-date=23 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140423062453/https://www.theverge.com/2014/4/22/5638980/russias-largest-social-network-is-under-the-control-of-putins-allies |url-status=live }} and suggested his ousting was the result of his refusal to hand over personal details of users to the Russian Federal Security Service and his refusal to shut down a VK group dedicated to anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny.

On 24 May 2013, it was reported in the media that the site had been mistakenly put on a list of websites banned by the Russian government.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22651973 |title=Error blacklists Russia's top social network VKontakte |work=BBC News |date=24 May 2013 |access-date=24 August 2013 |archive-date=9 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609184502/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22651973 |url-status=live }} Some critics have accused the blacklist as the latest in a series of suspicious incidents to have happened to the website in recent months as a way for the Russian government to increase their stake in, and control of the site.{{cite web |last=Balmforth |first=Tom |url=http://www.rferl.org/content/russia-vkontakte-under-fire/24999478.html |title=Russia's Top Social Network Under Fire |publisher=Rferl.org |date=28 May 2013 |access-date=24 August 2013 |archive-date=28 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528163556/http://www.rferl.org/content/russia-vkontakte-under-fire/24999478.html |url-status=live }}

On 18 November 2013, following an order from the Court of Rome, VK was blocked in Italy after a complaint from Medusa Film stating that it was hosting an illegal copy of one of its films.{{cite web |url=http://news.softpedia.com/news/How-Berlusconi-s-Company-Blocked-Off-vKontakte-and-File-Hosting-Sites-in-Italy-401518.shtml |title=How Berlusconi's Company Blocked Off vKontakte and File-Hosting Sites in Italy |date=19 November 2013 |publisher=News.softpedia.com |access-date=21 June 2014 |archive-date=20 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131120233943/http://news.softpedia.com/news/How-Berlusconi-s-Company-Blocked-Off-vKontakte-and-File-Hosting-Sites-in-Italy-401518.shtml |url-status=live }} However, in April 2015, the site was reopened for Italian users and its mobile app is available on both the App Store and Google Play.{{Citation needed|date=November 2020}}

In January 2016, China banned VKontakte, claiming that it was manipulating web content and cooperating with the Kremlin. According to Russia's media watchdog, the network estimates around 300,000 users based in China.{{Cite news|url=https://themoscowtimes.com/news/russia-media-watchdog-boasts-it-convinced-china-to-lift-vkontakte-ban-60523|title=Russia's Media Watchdog Boasts It 'Convinced' China to Lift Vkontakte Ban|access-date=9 March 2018|archive-date=29 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181229235403/https://themoscowtimes.com/news/russia-media-watchdog-boasts-it-convinced-china-to-lift-vkontakte-ban-60523|url-status=live}} As of 14 February 2018, China authorities unblocked VKontakte and it was fully accessible in the country.{{Cite news|url=http://tass.com/society/990009|title=China unblocks Russian social network VKontakte|work=TASS|access-date=9 March 2018|language=ru|archive-date=10 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310010319/http://tass.com/society/990009|url-status=live}}

In May 2017, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko signed a decree to impose a ban on Mail.ru and its widely used social networks including VKontakte and Odnoklassniki as part of its continued sanctions on Russia for its annexation of Crimea and involvement in the war in Donbas.[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-39934666 Ukraine's Poroshenko to block Russian social networks] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109061726/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-39934666 |date=9 January 2021 }}, BBC News (16 May 2017){{cite web | last = Poroshenko | first = Petro | author-link = Petro Poroshenko | title = УКАЗ ПРЕЗИДЕНТА УКРАЇНИ №133/2017: Про рішення Ради національної безпеки і оборони України від 28 квітня 2017 року "Про застосування персональних спеціальних економічних та інших обмежувальних заходів (санкцій)" | work = Офіційне інтернет-представництво Президента України | url = https://www.president.gov.ua/documents/1332017-21850 | language = uk | trans-title = DECREE OF THE PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE №133 / 2017: On the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine dated April 28, 2017 "On the application of personal special economic and other restrictive measures (sanctions)" | publisher = President of Ukraine | date = 15 May 2017 | access-date = 13 March 2018 | archive-date = 16 May 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170516110305/https://www.president.gov.ua/documents/1332017-21850 | url-status = live }}{{cite web | title = Додаток 2 до рішення Ради національної безпеки і оборони України від "28" квітня 2017 року "Про застосування персональних спеціальних економічних та інших обмежувальних заходів (санкцій)" ЮРИДИЧНІ ОСОБИ, до яких застосовуються обмежувальні заходи (санкції) | url = https://www.president.gov.ua/storage/j-files-storage/00/40/38/6f76b8df9d0716da74bb4ae6a900d483_1494964345.pdf | language = uk | trans-title = Annex 2 to the Decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine dated April 28, 2017 "On the Application of Personal special economic and other restrictive measures (sanctions) "Legal Entities under Restrictive Measures (Sanctions)" | publisher = President of Ukraine | page = 185-6 (#422 mail.ru Group), 186-7 (#423 ТОВ «Вконтакте» (VKontakte)), 187-8 (#424 ТОВ «В Контакті» (In Kontakte)) & 189 (#425 mail.ru Ukraine). This is a prohibition of Internet Service Providers (ISP) to provide access to the internet service «Mail.ru» (www.mail.ru) and social-oriented resources «Vkontakte» (www.vk.com) and «Odnoklassniki» (www. ok) | date = 28 April 2017 | access-date = 13 March 2018 | archive-date = 18 May 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170518165930/https://www.president.gov.ua/storage/j-files-storage/00/40/38/6f76b8df9d0716da74bb4ae6a900d483_1494964345.pdf | url-status = live }} Reporters Without Borders condemned the ban, calling it a "disproportionate measure that seriously undermines the Ukrainian people's right to information and freedom of expression."[https://rsf.org/en/news/rsf-urges-ukraine-scrap-ban-russian-social-media-sites] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131141652/https://rsf.org/en/news/rsf-urges-ukraine-scrap-ban-russian-social-media-sites|date=31 January 2021}} | RSF | 23 May 2017 VK closed its office in Ukraine's capital Kyiv in June 2017.[https://www.unian.info/society/1981121-russias-vkontakte-closes-office-in-kyiv.html Russia's VKontakte closes office in Kyiv] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205135439/https://www.unian.info/society/1981121-russias-vkontakte-closes-office-in-kyiv.html |date=5 February 2021 }}, UNIAN (17 June 2017)

In December 2021, VKontakte's CEO, Boris Dobrodeev resigned from his post. Reuters linked Dobrodeev's resignation to the acquisition of VK's majority interest by two state-owned companies that happened the same month. According to one analyst, the state consolidation of VKontakte would cause greater censorship by the government.{{cite web

|url = https://www.reuters.com/article/russia-vk-idCNL8N2SO3IY

|title = CEO of Russia's VK resigns as state assumes control of internet firm

|author = Alexander Marrow

|date = December 3, 2021

|publisher = Reuters

|access-date = April 14, 2022

|archive-date = 14 April 2022

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220414162948/https://www.reuters.com/article/russia-vk-idCNL8N2SO3IY

|url-status = live

}}

On 12 May 2022, in connection with the sanctions imposed by the European Union (EU), NEPLP decided to limit the activity of "VKontakte" ("vk.com"), "Odnoklassniki" ("ok.ru") and "Moy Mir" ("my.mail.ru") social medias in Latvia. The decision was made because NEPLP has evidence that the platforms are owned and controlled by Yury Kovalchuk and Vladimir Kiriyenko. The mentioned persons are subject to EU sanctions in connection with undermining the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.{{Cite web|url=https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/zinas/latvija/latvija-blokes-socialos-tiklus-vkontakte-un-odnoklassniki.a456464/|title=Latvijā bloķēs sociālos tīklus "Vkontakte" un "Odnoklassniki"|website=Lsm.lv|accessdate=12 May 2022|archive-date=12 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512114525/https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/zinas/latvija/latvija-blokes-socialos-tiklus-vkontakte-un-odnoklassniki.a456464/|url-status=live}}

After the Russian military invasion of Ukraine, on 26 September 2022, the VK application (as well as other applications of the holding services) was removed from the Apple App Store due to international sanctions.{{Cite web|url=https://www.macrumors.com/2022/09/28/apple-removes-vk-app-store-russian-sanctions/|title=Apple Removes Russian VK Apps From App Store in Response to UK Sanctions|website=MacRumors|date=28 September 2022 |accessdate=27 December 2022|archive-date=5 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205055803/https://www.macrumors.com/2022/09/28/apple-removes-vk-app-store-russian-sanctions/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.rbc.ru/politics/26/09/2022/6331f8cd9a7947f92f1770b2|title=Приложение VK пропало из App Store|language=ru|date=2022-09-26|website=rbc.ru|access-date=26 September 2022|archive-date=27 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927023948/https://www.rbc.ru/politics/26/09/2022/6331f8cd9a7947f92f1770b2|url-status=live}} On 28 September, the Russian communications regulator Roskomnadzor issued a statement demanding an explanation for the removal of the VK application from the App Store.{{Cite news |date=2022-09-28 |title=Russia demands Apple explain after VK apps removed from App Store |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/russia-demands-apple-explain-after-vk-removed-app-store-2022-09-28/ |access-date=2022-09-28 |archive-date=28 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928121451/https://www.reuters.com/technology/russia-demands-apple-explain-after-vk-removed-app-store-2022-09-28/ |url-status=live }} CEO Vladimir Kiriyenko was sanctioned by the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, European Union, Japan, Australia and various countries.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/2/26/22951307/us-sanctions-russia-vk-ceo-vladimir-kiriyenko|title=The US has sanctioned the head of Russia's largest social network|first=Corin|last=Faife|date=26 February 2022|website=The Verge|accessdate=27 December 2022|archive-date=4 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104131617/https://www.theverge.com/2022/2/26/22951307/us-sanctions-russia-vk-ceo-vladimir-kiriyenko|url-status=live}}

In July 2012, VKontakte was accused of close cooperation with the Centre for Combating Extremism (Centre E), a unit within the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs heavily criticized for repressing opposition activists.{{Cite magazine |title=How the Kremlin Infiltrated Russia's Facebook |language=en-GB |magazine=Wired UK |url=https://www.wired.co.uk/article/vk-russia-democracy |access-date=2022-07-29 |issn=1357-0978 |archive-date=29 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220729082829/https://www.wired.co.uk/article/vk-russia-democracy |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=The dark doings of Russia's Centre E |url=https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/odr/dark-doings-of-russias-centre-e/ |access-date=2022-07-29 |website=openDemocracy |language=en |archive-date=22 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122152809/https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/odr/dark-doings-of-russias-centre-e/ |url-status=live }} For publications, reposts, comments and likes posted on their VKontakte pages, dozens of Russian citizens were sentenced to fines, suspended sentences and imprisonment. Most of the cases against users are qualified as propaganda of extremism, xenophobia and Nazism. Statistically, among all the social networking services available in Russia, the users of VKontakte were targeted by police almost exclusively.{{Cite web |title=2016-07-07 In 'kontakt' with the cops When Russian police go after Internet users, why do they target people on VKontakte almost exclusively? |url=https://meduza.io/en/feature/2016/07/07/in-kontakt-with-the-cops |access-date=2022-07-29 |website=Meduza |language=en |archive-date=29 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220729082829/https://meduza.io/en/feature/2016/07/07/in-kontakt-with-the-cops |url-status=live }}

By 2023, on the basis of VK, the “Automated workplace of a civil servant” (АРМ ГС in Russian) was developed, to which it is planned to transfer all Russian civil servants. AWP includes mail, calendar, cloud storage, instant messenger, supports audio and video calls. It should replace Telegram, WhatsApp, Gmail, Google Docs, Zoom and Skype widely used in Russia. Thus, the Russian government intends to exclude foreign services from the public administration system. Officials were supposed to switch to "Automated workplace" from May 1, 2023.

{{Cite web|url=https://www.sostav.ru/publication/gossluzhashchim-poruchili-perejti-na-messendzher-ot-vk-do-kontsa-aprelya-59317.html|title=Госслужащим поручили перейти на мессенджер от VK до конца апреля|language=ru|date=2023-03-07|website=Sostav.ru|access-date=28 June 2023|archive-date=29 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629121410/https://www.sostav.ru/publication/gossluzhashchim-poruchili-perejti-na-messendzher-ot-vk-do-kontsa-aprelya-59317.html|url-status=live}}

In June 2023, the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media announced a competition for software developers to "scale" the workspace and provide the necessary level of cryptographic protection. It is planned to spend 9 million rubles on the project.{{Cite web|url=https://www.banki.ru/news/lenta/?id=10987700|title=У российских чиновников появится свой мессенджер почти за 1 млрд рублей|date=2023-06-28|website=Banki.ru}}

VK organized their first 24-hour Hackathon in 2015 from 31 October to 1 November. The participants were invited to develop projects united by a common idea: “Make it Simple!” (Russian: «Упрощайте!»). 34 teams took part in the competition. A prize pool of 300 thousand rubles was split among the winners.{{Cite news|url=https://vc.ru/social/11462-vk-hackaton-fin|title=Фоторепортаж: Первый хакатон "ВКонтакте" — Соцсети на vc.ru|last=Kontsarenko|first=Philipp|date=2 November 2015|work=vc.ru|access-date=12 November 2018|archive-date=12 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181112223442/https://vc.ru/social/11462-vk-hackaton-fin|url-status=live}}

The second VK Hackathon took place from 26 to 27 November 2016. The participants developed projects for the community app platform. The “Search for Lost Cats” (Russian: «Поиск пропавших котиков») app won the “Developers’ Choice” category. The prize pool for the event was 300 thousand rubles.{{Cite news|url=https://meduza.io/shapito/2016/11/28/poisk-propavshih-kotikov-prilozhenie-kotoroe-ischet-poteryavshihsya-zhivotnyh-s-pomoschyu-neyrosetey|title="Поиск пропавших котиков": приложение, которое ищет потерявшихся животных с помощью нейросетей — Meduza|work=Meduza|access-date=12 November 2018|language=ru-RU|archive-date=4 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204125344/https://meduza.io/shapito/2016/11/28/poisk-propavshih-kotikov-prilozhenie-kotoroe-ischet-poteryavshihsya-zhivotnyh-s-pomoschyu-neyrosetey|url-status=live}}

The third VK Hackathon took place from 20 to 22 October 2017 with 320 participants competing in the event. The prize pool was one million rubles. An application designed to help users navigate the State Hermitage Museum won the “Culture” category.{{Cite news|url=https://paperpaper.ru/papernews/2017/10/23/hackathon/|title=На Хакатоне "ВКонтакте" победили авторы приложения, помогающего выбрать маршрут в Эрмитаже|date=23 October 2017|work=«Бумага»|access-date=12 November 2018|language=ru-RU|archive-date=4 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204130031/https://paperpaper.ru/papernews/2017/10/23/hackathon/|url-status=live}}

In 2011, Pavel Durov and Yuri Milner created Start Fellows, a grant program founded to support projects in the field of technology.{{cite web

|url = https://www.wired.co.uk/article/moscow

|title = Europe's 100 hottest startups 2012: Moscow

|author = Madhumita Venkataramanan

|date = August 15, 2012

|publisher = Wired

|access-date = April 14, 2022

|archive-date = 14 April 2017

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170414000854/http://www.wired.co.uk/article/moscow

|url-status = live

}} In 2014, VK took over the Start Fellows program and made it more systematic. The grant was provided to 3 companies each month and included project consultation from VK along with 25 thousand rubles a month for advertisement on the VK platform. Winners of the grant include “University Schedules” (Russian: «Расписание вузов»), a scheduling app, LiveCamDroid, a mobile streaming service, HTML Academy, an educational project, and others.{{cite web

|url = https://vc.ru/social/4758-sf-final-aug?ysclid=l1z8qtexlb

|title = Победителем конкурса стартапов Start Fellows стал мобильный сервис видеостриминга LiveCamDroid

|author = Константин Панфилов

|language = ru

|date = August 21, 2014

|publisher = VC.ru

|access-date = April 14, 2022

|archive-date = 9 August 2022

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220809202134/https://vc.ru/social/4758-sf-final-aug?ysclid=l1z8qtexlb

|url-status = live

}}{{cite web

|url = https://vc.ru/social/5376-sf-final-sep?ysclid=l1z8rfa155

|title = Победителями конкурса стартапов Start Fellows от "ВКонтакте" стали HTML Academy и "Попутчик"

|author = Константин Панфилов

|language = ru

|date = October 16, 2014

|publisher = VC.ru

|access-date = April 14, 2022

|archive-date = 14 April 2022

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220414165939/https://vc.ru/social/5376-sf-final-sep?ysclid=l1z8rfa155

|url-status = live

}}{{cite web

|url = https://www.the-village.ru/business/news/160161-start-fellows?ysclid=l1z8pfp22g

|title = "ВКонтакте" назвала нового получателя гранта Start Fellows

|author =

|language = ru

|date = July 15, 2014

|publisher = The Village

|access-date = April 14, 2022

|archive-date = 14 April 2022

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220414165937/https://www.the-village.ru/business/news/160161-start-fellows?ysclid=l1z8pfp22g

|url-status = live

}}{{cite web

|url = https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/3368135

|title = Пробуждение с гарантией

|author =

|language = ru

|date = June 11, 2019

|publisher = Kommersant

|access-date = April 14, 2022

|archive-date = 14 April 2022

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220414165940/https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/3368135

|url-status = live

}}

VK re-launched the project in 2017. Only active projects with an earnings model could submit applications. 327 grant applications were received but only 67 of them passed the initial screening. The total prize pool was 2.5 million rubles.{{Cite news|url=https://www.ferra.ru/ru/techlife/news/2017/12/04/vk-start-fellows-2017/|title=Победители Start Fellows получили 2,5 млн рублей от ВКонтакте|access-date=12 November 2018|archive-date=18 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618175253/https://www.ferra.ru/ru/techlife/news/2017/12/04/vk-start-fellows-2017/|url-status=dead}}

The first VK Cup, a programming championship for young programmers aged 13–23, was held on 16 July 2012 in Saint Petersburg, Russia.{{cite web

|url = https://tass.ru/ekonomika/9895089

|title = "ВКонтакте" назвали победителей VK Cup

|author =

|language = ru

|date = November 2, 2020

|publisher = Tass

|access-date = April 14, 2022

|archive-date = 14 April 2022

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220414170518/https://tass.ru/ekonomika/9895089

|url-status = live

}}

VK and Codeforces co-organized the second VK Cup programming championship, which took place from 24 to 27 July 2015. The winners received a total of 1,048,576 or 2²⁰ rubles (an amount related to round binary numbers).{{Cite news|url=https://vc.ru/social/9534-vk-cup-2015|title=Фоторепортаж: "ВКонтакте" провела второй чемпионат по программированию VK Cup 2015 — Соцсети на vc.ru|last=vc.ru|first=Редакция|date=27 July 2015|work=vc.ru|access-date=12 November 2018|archive-date=13 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181113025620/https://vc.ru/social/9534-vk-cup-2015|url-status=live}}

The third VK Cup took place from 1 to 4 July 2016 and had a prize pool of 2.5 million rubles.{{Cite web|url=http://codeforces.com/vkcup2016|title=VK Cup 2016 - Codeforces|website=Codeforces|access-date=12 November 2018|archive-date=6 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306005257/http://codeforces.com/vkcup2016|url-status=live}}

VK and Codeforces co-organized the fourth VK Cup which took place from 8 to 9 July 2017. Teams from 52 countries applied to take part in the competition. The prize pool for the competition was 2.5 million rubles.{{Cite news|url=http://www.sobaka.ru/city/internet/59533|title="ВКонтакте" выплатила 2,5 миллиона рублей призёрам VK Cup 2017|work=Собака.ru|access-date=12 November 2018|archive-date=21 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121020933/http://www.sobaka.ru/city/internet/59533|url-status=live}}

The first VK Music Awards ceremony took place on 25 December 2017. The VK Music Awards were produced by Timur Bekmambetov and the Bazelevs Company with Pavel Volya hosting the event.{{Cite news|url=http://www.intermedia.ru/news/318143|title="ВКонтакте" завершит год вручением своей первой музыкальной премии|date=15 December 2017|access-date=12 November 2018|archive-date=28 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028120626/http://www.intermedia.ru/news/318143|url-status=live}} The awards ceremony was held in the form of an online live stream.{{Cite web |url=https://vk.com/music?z=video-147845620_456239019 |access-date=9 September 2019 |title=VK Music: Listen to songs and music online for free | VK |archive-date=11 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311181802/https://vk.com/login?u=2&to=L2F1ZGlvPw-- |url-status=live }} Any VK user could watch the broadcast live. After the ceremony, a private concert was held in the Vegas City Hall in Moscow. Tickets to the event could be won through a contest held in the VK Music community. VK Music Awards winners were determined by the number of plays an artist's song got on VK and the BOOM app. The names of the 30 award winners were published on the official VK Music Awards community page and on the BOOM app website. “Rosé Wine” (Allj and Feduk), “Lambada” ({{ill|T-Fest|ru|T-Fest}} and Scriptonite), and “My Half” ({{ill|MiyaGi and Endspiel|ru|T-MiyaGi & Andy Panda}}) topped the list of most listened to songs. The official pages of all award winners have been marked with a special symbol.{{Cite news|url=https://the-flow.ru/news/vk-music-awards|title=В Москве прошла премия VK Music Awards. Были названы 30 главных треков года|work=The-Flow.ru|access-date=12 November 2018|language=ru-RU|archive-date=4 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204114857/https://the-flow.ru/news/vk-music-awards|url-status=live}}

Since 2015, VK has held a yearly 2-day open-air music and entertainment festival. This festival traditionally takes place on a weekend in July at the {{ill|300th Anniversary Park|ru|Парк имени 300-летия Санкт-Петербурга}} (Russian: Парк имени 300-летия Санкт-Петербурга) in St. Petersburg, Russia. According to data from the organizer, 70 thousand people attended the festival in 2016, with the number rising to 85 thousand attendees in 2017. In 2017, around 40 artists and groups performed on 3 stages, including Little Big, The Hatters, and others. Bloggers and other famous individuals, such as Dmitry Grishin, Timur Bekmambetov, and Mikhail Piotrovsky (speakers at the 2017 festival), are also an important part of the festival. More than 1.5 million people watched the festival's official live stream.{{Cite news|url=https://rg.ru/2017/07/14/reg-szfo/v-peterburge-na-vyhodnyh-projdet-tretij-vk-fest.html|title=В Петербурге на выходных пройдет третий VK Fest|date=14 July 2017|work=Российская газета|access-date=12 November 2018|language=ru|archive-date=7 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190307191538/https://rg.ru/2017/07/14/reg-szfo/v-peterburge-na-vyhodnyh-projdet-tretij-vk-fest.html|url-status=live}}

{{Portal|Russia|Internet}}

• Ambient awareness
• Cyworld
• Facebook
• Internet in Russia
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• Qzone
• List of social networking websites

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{cite book

|editor-last1= Friedrichsen

|editor-first1= Mike

|editor-last2= Mühl-Benninghaus

|editor-first2= Wolfgang

|date= 2013

|title= Handbook of Social Media Management

|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=ETHak9WHJGAC&q=vkontakte

|location= Berlin

|publisher= Springer

|pages=

|isbn= 978-3-642-28897-5

}}

• {{Commons category-inline}}
• {{official website}}

{{Social network}}

{{Microblogging}}

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