In March 2022 — days after Russia invaded Ukraine — Apple decided to halt the sales of its products in Russia. The Tim Cook-led company cited deep concerns over the situation and said in a statement “We have taken a number of actions in response to the invasion. We have paused all product sales in Russia. Last week, we stopped all exports into our sales channel in the country. Apple Pay and other services have been limited.” Now, it looks like Russia is putting a ban on use of iPhones by government officials.
Concern over ‘Western Intelligence agencies’
According to a report by Reuters (via Kommersant news publication), any officials who will be “involved in preparations for Russia’s 2024 presidential election” have been banned from using the iPhone. The report notes that Sergei Kiriyenko, Russia’s head of presidential administration, has given officials time till April 1 to stop using their iPhones. Further, anyone who is involved in “domestic politics” has also been asked to stop using iPhones. One of the reason cited behind the ban is “because of concerns that the devices are vulnerable to Western intelligence agencies.”
The Russian government, as per the report, could give officials devices that run other operating systems — not clear which one — instead of iPhones. An official reportedly said in a meeting that“It’s all over for the iPhone: either throw it away or give it to the children.” Officials only have 10 days or so to replace their iPhones with other devices.
A blanket ban on smartphones in Russia?
The report further says that a Russian spokesman also said that smartphones shouldn’t be used for official purposes. Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Kremlin said, “Smartphones should not be used for official business. Any smartphone has a fairly transparent mechanism, no matter what operating system it has – Android or iOS. Naturally, they are not used for official purposes.”
So far, Apple hasn’t made any comment on the matter.
Concern over ‘Western Intelligence agencies’
According to a report by Reuters (via Kommersant news publication), any officials who will be “involved in preparations for Russia’s 2024 presidential election” have been banned from using the iPhone. The report notes that Sergei Kiriyenko, Russia’s head of presidential administration, has given officials time till April 1 to stop using their iPhones. Further, anyone who is involved in “domestic politics” has also been asked to stop using iPhones. One of the reason cited behind the ban is “because of concerns that the devices are vulnerable to Western intelligence agencies.”
The Russian government, as per the report, could give officials devices that run other operating systems — not clear which one — instead of iPhones. An official reportedly said in a meeting that“It’s all over for the iPhone: either throw it away or give it to the children.” Officials only have 10 days or so to replace their iPhones with other devices.
A blanket ban on smartphones in Russia?
The report further says that a Russian spokesman also said that smartphones shouldn’t be used for official purposes. Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Kremlin said, “Smartphones should not be used for official business. Any smartphone has a fairly transparent mechanism, no matter what operating system it has – Android or iOS. Naturally, they are not used for official purposes.”
So far, Apple hasn’t made any comment on the matter.
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