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Russian Ministry Clarifies No Plans to Disable Apple iPhones Despite New Device Registry

The Russian Ministry of Digital Development has officially stated that no government body or telecom operator has the authority to remotely disable iPhones or other devices from specific manufacturers. The clarification was issued in response to an inquiry from deputy Vladimir Plyakin regarding rumors of potential restrictions if Apple fails to comply with Russian legislation. Current laws do not permit turning user devices into non-functional bricks through any centralized mechanism. However, amendments to the law On Communications will introduce a national registry of user equipment identifiers starting March 1, 2027. The ministry is still developing the regulatory framework for this database, including what data will be collected and which agencies will have access. Officials emphasized that the existence of the registry does not imply any capability for mass device deactivation at this stage.

AntiMalwareTranslated from Russian

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The Ministry of Digital Development of Russia has officially dismissed rumors that iPhones in the country could be remotely turned into useless bricks. The statement came in response to a formal request from deputy Vladimir Plyakin, who sought clarification on the future of Apple devices amid reports of possible restrictions if the company does not meet Russian legal requirements.

According to the ministry, neither the agency itself, other state bodies, nor telecom operators possess any legal powers to terminate service for devices of a particular brand. The response stressed that existing legislation does not allow authorities to disable specific equipment models with a single command.

Nevertheless, recent amendments to the law “On Communications” do provide for the creation of a national registry of user equipment identifiers. These provisions are scheduled to take effect on March 1, 2027. The final rules governing the system, including the types of data to be stored, the entities responsible for populating the database, and the agencies granted access, have yet to be approved.

The ministry is currently preparing the necessary draft regulations. Officials noted that while the registry will be established, it is premature to equate its launch with any scenario involving widespread disabling of iOS devices. Current laws simply do not support such measures.

AppleiPhoneVladimir Plyakin
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