Over 50 apps on the App Store and Google Play Store continued to be available even after the US banned working with the developers.

Apple was accused in 2021 of hosting apps by companies on the US Treasury Department's list of Specially Designated Nationals — and in 2019 was fined for doing so. Now The Tech Transparency Project (TPP), a non-profit watchdog, says Apple and Google have continued to host blacklisted apps.

As first reported by The Washington Post, the TPP group says that some app developers were listed on the App Store under barely changed names. For instance, some added OOO to their name — which is the Russian abbreviation for a corporation.

"Apple and Google promise their users a safe and trusted place to find applications for their devices," said TTP Director Katie Paul, "but both companies' failure to identify clearly sanctioned entities raises questions about how these companies vet the apps in their stores."

Google was reportedly hosting 18 such apps, and during discussions with TPP has removed all but one. Apple is said to have 52 of what were described as improper apps.

Apple removed 17 during initial discussions with TPP, and has subsequently taken down a further 18. There is no indication of why it has seemingly left 17 more online, nor which one Google has retained.

It is known that the apps dropped by Apple include ones linked to the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. The Treasury says this has ties to the Chinese Communist Party.

Apple has said that it does not agree that all 52 apps were in violation of sanctions. However, the company also said that it was strengthening its review process, and that it appreciated the work of TPP.

As well as having more such allegedly blacklisted apps, Apple is more likely than Google to face legal issues and fines. That's specifically because of its 2019 case, where the firm escaped a large fine because it self-reported the situation, and committed to blocking such apps in the future.

A spokesperson for the US Treasury declined to comment on specific cases. However, the spokesperson cautioned that technology "companies should be aware of U.S. sanctions and understand their compliance risks, conducting due diligence where appropriate."