Russia Set to Ban Devices Without Pre-Installed Russian Software

A new bill will require electronic devices sold in Russia to contain pre-installed Russian software. (Engadget)

The lower house of Russia’s parliament passed a new law on November 21 banning the sale of consumer electronic devices without pre-installed Russian software. The legislation is expected to go into effect in July 2020, but it still needs to be passed by the upper house and officially signed by President Vladmir Putin before it becomes law. Russian politicians have argued that such legislation would not only help promote the domestic technology industry but also make it easier for consumers to use their electronic devices.

Co-author of the bill Oleg Nikolayev told Interfax that the new legislation would be beneficial for domestic competition. "When we buy complex electronic devices, they already have individual applications, mostly Western ones, pre-installed on them. Naturally, when a person sees them... they might think that there are no domestic alternatives available. And if, alongside pre-installed applications, we will also offer the Russian ones to users, then they will have a right to choose," Nikolayev said.

However, many industry groups have expressed concern about the practicality of the bill. According to manufacturers and distributors from the Association of Trading Companies and Manufacturers of Electrical Household and Computer Equipment (RATEK), it would be almost impossible for many international companies such as Apple to pre-install Russian-made software on their devices before sale. Thus, many corporations could be forced out of the Russian market, creating a chilling effect on business.

Moreover, some worry that pre-installed Russian software is window dressing for the Russian government’s expanding surveillance and censorship capabilities and would impact Russian technology users’ privacy and personal lives.

This is not the first time that the Russian government has been criticized for implementing strict internet regulations. Earlier this month, Russia passed a “sovereign internet” law introducing tighter controls over internet traffic in Russia. Although Russia has emphasized that its intentions are to mitigate the effects of foreign cyberattacks, many worry that Russia is aiming to create its own Chinese-style Great Firewall.