Russia’s Ministry of Digital Development has implemented a ban on the use of Apple iPhones and iPads for work-related tasks, as reported by the Interfax news agency. Minister Maksut Shadaev explained that the ban prohibits the use of Apple mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, to access work applications and work email exchanges.
However, Shadaev clarified that employees are still permitted to use iPhones for personal purposes.
The ministry’s decision to impose this ban comes after claims made by the Russian main domestic security service, the FSB, that thousands of Apple devices were compromised due to a US-led espionage operation. Apple has strongly denied these allegations, while the US National Security Agency, which the FSB alleged had collaborated with Apple, chose not to comment on the matter.
In a separate incident, Apple received a fine from a Russian court for failing to remove “inaccurate” content related to Russia’s definition of a “special military operation” in Ukraine. Following Russia’s deployment of tens of thousands of troops to Ukraine in February 2022, Apple temporarily halted all product sales in Russia and limited its Apple Pay service.
Moscow’s disagreements with major technology companies, commonly referred to as Big Tech, have been ongoing for years, primarily concerning issues such as content, censorship, data, and local representation. These disputes have escalated in the wake of Russia’s military involvement in Ukraine.
In addition to Apple, other tech companies like Alphabet’s Google, Meta’s Facebook, and Wikimedia have also faced fines from Russian authorities. Wikimedia, which has previously stated that the information criticized by Russian officials meets Wikipedia’s standards and is well-sourced, has been fined multiple times.
© Thomson Reuters 2023
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Deepak Sen is a tech enthusiast who covers the latest technological innovations, from AI to consumer gadgets. His articles provide readers with a glimpse into the ever-evolving world of technology.
