Aquarius, a Russian smartphone manufacturer, has stated that it cannot replace iPhones in state institutions in the near term due to limited production capacity. This update comes via the Telegram channel Mash.
The channel reports that government officials were prohibited from using personal iPhones after news spread about potential device tapping. They were strongly urged to switch to Android devices not produced by Google Pixel. Huawei, Xiaomi, and Oppo were cited as examples. Additionally, Mash notes that staff would need to cover the cost of any replacements themselves.
The post also explains that domestic firms attempting to break into the smartphone market face shortages of foreign components and rising prices. Given these constraints, a rapid replacement of Apple devices in Russian government bodies is unlikely to happen soon.
According to Mash, there is no expectation for swift change. It mentions that Kaspersky Lab, a cybersecurity firm known for its work on an independent mobile operating system and for testing apps on it, could become a contender in the smartphone arena. This possibility is presented as a potential driver of future competition in the sector.
Earlier reports indicated that U.S. intelligence agencies were conducting surveillance in Russia using Apple devices. The FSB claimed that several thousand iPhones owned by Russian and foreign users had been compromised by malware. The agency suggested Apple had cooperated with American intelligence, a claim Apple denied. Furthermore, the ministries responsible for digital transformation and industry and trade, along with Rostec, announced a policy restricting the use of iPhones for official correspondence among employees.
Previously, Siluanov commented on perspectives that included both cautious pessimism and measured optimism regarding the tech landscape and government procurement choices. The discussion touched on the broader implications for domestic tech development and the potential impact on public sector mobility and security practices.