All smart devices can be influenced by the manufacturers in one way or another, so it is prudent not to store highly sensitive information on them, including government data. This view circulated after a broadcast on the TV channel 360, where a security expert described the latest developments concerning instructions reportedly given to presidential administration staff regarding the disposal of iPhone smartphones. The expert’s interpretation suggested that devices may be more exposed than users commonly assume.
According to the expert, both iPhones and Android devices can be managed or controlled by their makers to some extent. Every smartphone collects and transmits data about its user to the parent company, though in most cases the user’s identity remains anonymous within the system, often represented by a numeric identifier such as a device-specific code. This kind of data flow is typical for many mobile devices, and the implications for privacy and security are widely debated among officials and researchers alike.
The analyst further argued that it is unlikely manufacturers would deliberately install special surveillance chips targeted at specific individuals, simply because the costs and practicalities do not align with a broad, profitable surveillance model. Nevertheless, the expert emphasized that a variety of data is still transmitted by gadgets, including approximate location information, usage patterns, and device health metrics, which can be aggregated and analyzed by the owning company or its partners.
Earlier reporting from the financial newspaper Kommersant, citing multiple sources, suggested that members of the internal political bloc within the presidential administration were instructed to dispose of iPhones by a certain deadline for security reasons. The request allegedly aimed to minimize risk exposure in sensitive communications and to encourage the use of devices believed to be more controllable or auditable by state security teams. The verifiability of these reports remains a point of public discussion among experts and policymakers.
Following those claims, the official spokesperson for the president stated that confirmation of an iPhone ban could not be verified at that time, and no formal policy change had been publicly announced. The situation highlights ongoing conversations around device security, state-level information handling policies, and the balance between personal privacy and national security concerns in high-stakes environments. Experts underscore that individuals should stay informed about how their devices collect and share data, and consider practical steps to reduce unnecessary data exposure in daily use, such as reviewing app permissions, updating software, and opting for more privacy-conscious configurations when appropriate. (Citation: 360 TV network coverage and subsequent expert commentary)