The Russian media are reporting that Apple has agreed to sell its gadgets in Russia with preinstalled Russian-made software to comply with a law that comes into force on April 1.
A report on Russian newspaper cited a source in Russia’s Ministry of Digital Development and Communications (Mintsifra) as saying that starting next month, customers with newly bought Apple gadgets will be able to choose from a number of applications approved by the Russian government. Those applications not chosen will not be installed.
According to the agreement, all users who turn on an Apple device purchased in Russia will see a dialog box where they will be prompted to install default apps from a government-approved list, a high-ranking source in the Russian Digital Development Ministry told Vedomosti.
Users can choose not to install certain apps by unchecking the box next to their names, the ministry official told Vedomosti.
On Android smartphones, meanwhile, there will be no choice and all Russian software and applications will be preinstalled.
The source at the ministry said officials are also in talks with Apple on the possibility of buying Russian-made applications through the Apple Store.
Among other applications, Russia’s Mail.ru e-mail, the Kaspersky Lab antivirus program, the Odnoklassniki and VKontakte social networks, and the MIR payment system, will be preinstalled to the gadgets as of April 1.
Russian officials have said that the goal of the move is to support domestic technology and help Russian citizens use the gadgets they buy.
