Apple now required to offer Russian iPhone users local apps at setup
Apple is now required to offer Russian iOS users a selection of local apps when setting up a new device, per legislation passed in the country in 2019 and took effect on April 1.
Credit: Andrew O'Hara, AppleInsider
The Russian law, passed in November 2019, requires that companies present a list of government-approved apps on devices sold within the country. Initially slated to go into effect in January, it was then delayed until April 1.
As of Thursday, the law affects all new devices sold and set up in Russia -- including iPhones and other Apple products.
The law mandates that Russian apps come preinstalled on devices, but Apple was reportedly able to come to an agreement with the Russian government on a compromise.
Under the terms of that deal, iPhone and iPad devices activated from April 1 onward will present a setup screen to users that offers a selection of Russia-based apps. Users will then be able to select which apps they wish to install as part of the setup process.
Apple maintains that every Russian app will be checked for compliance with its own security, privacy, and content policies.
Some of the apps approved on the list include Yandex, Mail.ru Group, Kaspersky, Rostelecom, and Channel 1. However, a full list of the apps that will be offered is still being discussed, and could evolve other time.
Credit: Andrew O'Hara, AppleInsider
The Russian law, passed in November 2019, requires that companies present a list of government-approved apps on devices sold within the country. Initially slated to go into effect in January, it was then delayed until April 1.
As of Thursday, the law affects all new devices sold and set up in Russia -- including iPhones and other Apple products.
The law mandates that Russian apps come preinstalled on devices, but Apple was reportedly able to come to an agreement with the Russian government on a compromise.
Under the terms of that deal, iPhone and iPad devices activated from April 1 onward will present a setup screen to users that offers a selection of Russia-based apps. Users will then be able to select which apps they wish to install as part of the setup process.
Apple maintains that every Russian app will be checked for compliance with its own security, privacy, and content policies.
Some of the apps approved on the list include Yandex, Mail.ru Group, Kaspersky, Rostelecom, and Channel 1. However, a full list of the apps that will be offered is still being discussed, and could evolve other time.
Comments
Kuyangkoh said:
Hate to tell you this, but for any company to operate in any country, they have to abide by the laws of that country. This is nothing new and certainly not just an issue with Apple.
If you don't install them the government still knows that you have not installed them as they know the owner of every phone through the SIM registration anyway. And I think that tells them at least as much about you ....
This is the first time that i have seen an interpretation that the pre-installed apps (selected during setup, in the case of Apple) cannot be uninstalled or changed later. I don't think Huawei and the other big OEMs are doing what Samsung is doing.