The Financial Times reports that the Russian government has implemented a ban on the use of Apple devices by its employees for official state business. Starting today, government workers in Russia, including those in the trade ministry, are prohibited from using iPhones, MacBooks, iPads, and other Apple products for work-related activities. Similar restrictions are also expected to be enforced by other agencies, such as the Telecommunications and mass media ministry. However, it’s worth noting that employees banned from using Apple devices at work can still use them for personal purposes at home.
Apple’s Response and Recent Actions
Apple has yet to provide any comment on the ban, as requested by Engadget. This move by the Russian government follows Apple’s discontinuation of Apple Pay access in Russia and the cessation of all product sales in the country after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February. Apple explicitly attributed these decisions to the invasion and expressed solidarity with the affected individuals.
Allegations and Security Concerns
The ban on Apple devices comes after Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) accused US intelligence agencies of conducting a surveillance operation using Apple devices. The FSB claimed that thousands of iPhones, including those used by Russia’s diplomatic missions in NATO countries, were infected with tracking software. Furthermore, the FSB accused Apple of collaborating closely with US signal intelligence to equip agents with extensive control tools. Apple vehemently denied these allegations, stating that they have never collaborated with any government to install backdoors in their products.
Reduce Reliance on Foreign Technology
This ban reflects the Russian government’s broader objective of decreasing dependence on overseas technology. Last year, President Vladimir Putin issued a directive mandating that entities involved in critical information infrastructure transition to domestically produced software by 2025, as reported by The Times.
