From April 1, users configuring a new iPhone in Russia will see a screen that allows them to automatically install applications officially approved by the Russian government, in compliance with Russian law (by Engadget).
According to Russia’s news site, smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktops and smart TVs sold in Russia are being re-installed by April 1, along with special applications created by Russian companies. Vedomosti. (The law was originally intended to be implemented in July 2020, but was pushed into April 2021). Vedomosti It also says that apps will not be installed if users do not want to. Apple confirmed Edge It will follow the law when giving the option to install apps while activating the phone.
However it is unclear which apps will be offered to users in particular Vedomosti Cites government services application and applications from Russian companies, including Yandex, Mail.ru and Kaspersky Lab. The government is well aware that there may be a problem in favoring certain applications, and plans to expand its list over time: “The ministry does not have to be compelled to take up compulsory positions. If the options emerge in the market, prove interesting to users and quickly gain popularity, they will be included in the selection and also offer for pre-installation, ”said a Russian official. Vedomosti.
Apple Play historically has tightly controlled the setup process of the iPhone, and now it seems to have changed in only one market. While Apple Play has previously made changes to stay on top of local law – it has changed maps, blocked Pride Clock in Russia, and now stores iCloud data on state-run servers in China – this could be a more dramatic change, as it is a Affects the screen that every user will see as they set up their iPhone.
With the ability to change some of the default applications in iOS 14, iOS is slowly allowing users to change how it works from the box, but now it has also given the Russian government some control over the setup process. Such as the company’s lack of trust in the EU and the U.S. Faced with legal challenges from the side, and given its rivals a level playing field, we see that Apple will give governments some more control if it wants to sell its phones to its citizens – although it will probably not be forced to ask users if they setup Want to install Spotify on. Probably ..
