FAS Case Against Apple Will Not Brick iPhones for Russian Users

The Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) has opened a case against Apple for failing to pre-install a national messenger and a Russian app store on iOS devices, yet officials have confirmed that no technical measures will disable or restrict existing iPhones. Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy Andrey Svintsov stated that the actions of FAS, Roskomnadzor and other agencies are limited to recording violations and collecting fines. Apple had already implemented the option to select a domestic search engine but did not meet the remaining pre-installation requirements. Svintsov emphasized that any court decisions will remain in force until Apple decides to return to the Russian market and settles accumulated penalties. The approach is designed to replenish the state budget through fines once the company resumes legal operations. Russian iPhone owners can continue using their devices without any risk of remote blocking or forced conversion into expensive paperweights.

AntiMalwareAugust 5, 2026Translated from Russian

Read at source

The Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service has initiated proceedings against Apple over the company’s failure to comply with a prior warning, yet the case will have no impact on the functionality of iPhone and other iOS devices in Russia.

Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy Andrey Svintsov confirmed that gadgets will continue operating exactly as before. The regulator demanded that Apple pre-install a national messenger application and a Russian app store on devices running iOS. While the company implemented the choice of a domestic search engine, it did not fulfill the remaining requirements according to FAS.

Owners of iPhone devices have been assured that authorities will not block hardware, turn devices into expensive paperweights, or apply any other technical restrictions. Svintsov, quoted by TASS, explained that the efforts of FAS, Roskomnadzor and other agencies are focused solely on documenting violations and subsequently imposing fines.

Any court rulings will stay in effect until Apple chooses to return to the Russian market. Before resuming legal operations, the company must first settle all accumulated penalties. Svintsov described the strategy as appropriate, noting that future payments would go directly into the Russian state budget.

For the time being, the regulatory claims remain exclusively Apple’s problem. No remote technical measures against Russian iPhone users are planned.

Apple iOS Roskomnadzor State Duma iPhone

ShareX Facebook LinkedIn Reddit

Meridian digestThe week's most consequential security stories, distilled into one briefing.See the digest

More in Policy & Regulation

Policy & Regulation

Russian Minister Proposes Blocking All SIM Cards Linked to Fraudsters Banned in MAX Messenger

The head of Russia's Ministry of Digital Development, Maksut Shadaev, has suggested extending account bans in the MAX messenger to a broader set of mobile restrictions. Under the proposal, operators would be required to disconnect not only the number used in a fraudulent account but also any other SIM cards belonging to the same individual. The measure would also introduce a cooling-off period preventing the person from registering new numbers after a ban. Officials aim to make it significantly harder for scammers to resume operations following enforcement actions. Key implementation details, including how ownership and involvement in fraud will be verified, remain unspecified in the initial statement. The initiative specifically targets fraud prevention and does not apply to every account suspension in the messenger.

AntiMalwareOct 29, 2026Translated from Russian

Policy & Regulation

Russia Ready to Disclose Source Code of Social Networks, Messengers and AI Models

Russian Minister of Digital Development Maksut Shadaev announced that the country is prepared to open the source code of its domestic social networks, messengers, and video services to international partners. Shadaev stated that Russia will show the internal structure of these platforms and allow joint modification of algorithms. The proposal was presented at the Platform of Sovereign Development exhibition and reported by TASS. He contrasted Western IT products, described as opaque black boxes, with Russia's new approach of transparency to avoid what he called digital colonialism. The same offer extends to Russian foundational AI models, which could be adapted to foreign legislation, cultural requirements, and security standards. No specific products, repository links, timelines, or licensing terms were provided during the speech.

AntiMalwareOct 29, 2026Translated from Russian

Policy & Regulation

Russia Mulls Mandatory Two-Week IMEI Registration for Foreign Smartphones via Gosuslugi

Russian authorities are discussing a new rule requiring owners of smartphones imported without customs clearance or purchased abroad to register the devices through the Gosuslugi portal within two weeks. Failure to register would result in the device being blocked from Russian mobile networks. The Ministry of Digital Development is preparing the requirements, which remain under discussion with possible changes to timelines and details. Devices already operating in Russia before April 2027 would be exempt and continue working without restrictions. Officially imported equipment would be added to the registry automatically. The measure is expected to significantly impact gray-market sellers, potentially forcing up to 70 percent of them out of the market and driving price increases of up to 40 percent for some models.

AntiMalwareOct 29, 2026Translated from Russian