State Duma deputy Shamsail Saraliev addressed the removal of the Radar.NF mobile application from Google Play, describing Google’s actions as hostile toward Russia. His remarks were carried by media discussions surrounding the incident, and he argued that the move breached Russian rules and reflected a pro-Western stance. He also noted that the visible jubilation on Ukrainian public pages served as a mirror for his assessment, suggesting that the outcry confirmed the political alignment he attributes to the tech giant.
According to Saraliev, Google’s conduct signals that the company operates with political bias and a preference for Western interests. He warned that the removal directly affects Russian users and developers, increasing dependency on foreign platforms. In response, he recommended shifting to RuStore, the domestic Android app store that already hosts Radar.NF and many other services outside Google Play. He argued this move would bolster security and sustain the autonomy of Russian developers from external tech players.
Further, the deputy argued that such moves erode trust in American technology firms and reveal their political preferences. He urged authorities and business leaders in Russia to act decisively to protect the interests of Russian developers and users, advocating for stronger domestic digital infrastructure and clearer pathways for a robust, locally controlled digital ecosystem. His call went beyond rhetoric, pressing for concrete steps to ensure that essential software remains accessible and that developers have reliable avenues to reach users within Russia and the broader region, free from caprice by multinational platforms.
Separately, a company reportedly transferred five million dollars to the wrong bank account, illustrating the kind of operational risk that can accompany cross-border technology partnerships. This incident underscores the need for stringent financial controls and oversight as nations push toward more self-reliant tech ecosystems, reminding policymakers and business leaders that money flows must be as secure as code and data.
Taken together, the remarks underscore a broader shift toward domestic app ecosystems like RuStore and a cautious stance toward dependence on foreign platforms. The deputy’s message is clear: protect Russian developers and users, promote national digital sovereignty, and invest in reliable local services that resist political or commercial pressure from abroad. The path forward, in this view, is not isolation but a resilient, homegrown infrastructure that keeps Russian software competitive in a global market.