The Ministry of Digital Development has developed a draft law that will compel Apple to simplify installation on Russian iPhones by allowing apps to be downloaded outside of the official App Store. It has been reported interfax.
According to department head Maksut Shadayev, the domestic bill will be similar to the European Digital Markets Act (DMA). He stated that, according to the standard procedure, the submission of the bill would not be made before the autumn session of the State Duma.
“If, among other things, consultations with the State Duma show that this is an urgent matter and the deputies are interested in supporting us, then we will try to implement it as soon as possible,” said the minister.
Shadayev explained that the text of the bill has already been prepared and the Ministry of Digital Development is working to adopt the law as quickly as possible.
The department expects Russia to be able to negotiate with the Cupertino IT giant because Apple is a “company with a conscience” and has “even paid a fine which is very difficult these days”.
“I believe that this is only a confirmation of the company’s readiness to conscientiously comply with the requirements of Russian legislation and continue to work in the market,” Shadayev said.
Former Bloomberg correspondent Mark Gurman declarationThat Apple will add the ability to install apps outside of the App Store in iOS 17, but only for EU countries.