Starting April 1, 2021, tech device manufacturers will be required to pre-install Russian-made, government-approved applications and software onto new devices sold on Russian soil.
Dubbed “anti-Apple law,” this legislation was adopted in late 2019 as part of the Putin administration’s “sovereign Internet” strategy.
While the law did not specify what devices new electronic devices are concerned, the Russian government has determined these restrictions will apply to all smartphones, tablets, desktop computers, laptops, and smart TVs sold in Russia.
While Samsung quickly announced it will comply with the new law, Apple showed more reluctance. Its representatives had actively lobbied against the legislation, reportedly threatening to “revise the company’s business model in Russia” should such requirements be imposed.
Earlier this week, however, the Russian media learned Apple was preparing to make the required adjustments. Russian iPhone and iPad aficionados will be offered a choice: “After buying a new device, they will now see an interactive window offering the installation of several pre-selected Russian-made apps. Users can decline or accept, and they can delete the apps later, if they install them initially but change their minds,” reports Meduza.
In December 2020 the authorities published the list of Russian-made apps that must be offered in new smartphones and tablets. This list includes:
- Mail.Ru’s email app, news aggregator and voice assistant ‘Marusya;’
- VK and Odnoklassniki (OK) apps, as well as video app ‘OK Live’ (developed by Mail.Ru);
- ICQ (a property of Mail.Ru);
- Yandex apps: Browser, Search, Maps and Disk;
- Goslugi (portal for public services and payments)
- My Office Documents
- Applist.ru (aggregator of government-supported socially-oriented apps);
- MirPay (Russian bank card system) — required for Android only;
- Kaspersky Internet Security — required for Android only;
