Russia bans iPhones for state officials amid spying fears

In response to mounting worries about possible US espionage targeting Russian organisations, the Federal Security Service (FSB) has taken decisive measures by ordering thousands of Russian officials to cease using iPhones and Apple devices.

According to information from various sources, the ban’s primary goal is to protect sensitive data from foreign surveillance, affecting both state employees and government officials.

The country’s trade ministry swiftly announced the prohibition of iPhones for official work, and the digital development ministry is planning to follow suit. However, not everyone in the government is on board with this ban, particularly officials in the presidential administration who prefer iPhones over other devices.

Reports suggest that security officials in various ministries, including FSB employees in civilian positions, harbour concerns about the security of iPhones and fear potential wiretapping by the US government. As a compromise between security and convenience, some ministries permit personal iPhone use but restrict official work communication on these devices, leading to various challenges and complaints.

The basis for the ban lies in the FSB’s unproven claim that the US National Security Agency (NSA) exploited vulnerabilities in iPhones, allegedly with Apple’s cooperation. However, Apple has vehemently denied these accusations.

It’s important to note that this ban reflects Russia’s broader effort to reduce reliance on foreign technology. In line with this strategy, President Vladimir Putin previously mandated critical infrastructure institutions to transition to domestically developed software by 2025.

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