The Ministry of Digital Transformation released a draft cabinet resolution outlining steps to curb the practice of pre-installing the Russian Russtore app store on smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs under licensing conditions claimed by device and operating system developers. The update was reported by Interfax and reflects ongoing regulatory scrutiny over how app stores are integrated into devices sold in the country.
The draft states that current pre-installation rules do not compel hardware makers to ensure complete, uniform integration of Russtore at the same level as other app stores during the initial setup of devices. According to the ministry, this inconsistency creates a form of discrimination against Russtore developers and the developers of apps hosted within it. The term full integration refers to deep, system-level interaction with a device’s operating system services, which for Android devices would resemble integration with Google Mobile Services in terms of access, messaging, updates, and other core functions.
The ministry explained that for an app hosted on Russtore to operate seamlessly, it must be integrated with the device’s operating system so that push notifications arrive correctly, updates are delivered automatically, and other essential processes run without friction. As things stand, every time a Russtore app is installed or updated, the user must provide consent—an extra step that the ministry argues disrupts a smooth user experience and places Russtore at a disadvantage compared with other app ecosystems. This explanation came from statements given to Interfax by the Ministry of Digital Transformation.
The ministry contends that implementing the proposed requirements in the new decision would directly address these issues by creating a more level playing field for app stores and the apps they host, ensuring consistent behavior across devices and operating systems. Regulators believe that clearer rules will reduce barriers for developers and improve interoperability between third-party apps and device services, leading to fewer user friction points during installation and updates.
While the draft resolution is designed to standardize pre-installation practices, it is also part of broader efforts to regulate digital marketplaces and ensure fair competition in the software ecosystem. The document indicates that the revised rules could set a uniform baseline for how pre-installed app stores interact with device software, which may affect not only Russtore but other similar app distribution channels as well. These measures aim to align with policy objectives that promote consumer choice while maintaining security and device integrity across a wide range of devices and operating systems.
Industry observers note that the timing of the proposed changes was set with a transitional window, with expectations that new pre-installation rules might be introduced into force within the near term. The ministry has signaled that the changes are intended to streamline deployment processes for app stores while preserving user consent and transparency around app functionality, updates, and data handling. The move reflects a continuing trend toward greater governance of app distribution channels in the region and underscores the balance regulators seek between encouraging innovation and protecting consumer rights.
Previous reporting indicated that RuStore had completed its beta testing phase and opened access to foreign developers, a development that has kept the regulatory and market conversation active among developers and platform managers. As authorities consider how best to structure pre-installation requirements, stakeholders are watching closely to see how these rules might influence app store adoption, developer incentives, and the overall user experience across different devices and operating systems in the domestic market and beyond. Attribution: Interfax; additional background from industry coverage by News agencies and market analysts.