● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportMedium impact1 negative
Apple and Microsoft Added to Russian Surveillance Registry, Mandating Data Storage and Access
Key points
- Apple and Microsoft added to Russia's surveillance registry on October 2.
- Companies on the list must store user communications and provide them to security agencies.
- Data about users and communications must be stored in Russia for three years.
- Non-compliance can result in fines and service restrictions.
New Regulatory Requirements
Apple and Microsoft have been added to Russia's "organizers of information dissemination" registry, maintained by Roskomnadzor, Russia's communications regulator. This designation, effective October 2, mandates that both companies store local users' correspondence, audio, and video messages, and provide this data to Russian security agencies when requested. Additionally, they must store information about users and the transmission of their communications within Russia for three years.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
Companies that fail to adhere to these regulations face potential fines and could have access to their services restricted within Russia. Google and its Google Meet service were added to this same registry in January, indicating a broader trend of increased regulatory scrutiny on foreign tech companies operating in the country.
Broader Context of Russian Restrictions
This action is part of Russia's ongoing effort to tighten restrictions on foreign messaging services. The country has previously blocked or limited access to platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, and Apple's FaceTime. Apple's relationship with Russia has become more complex since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, leading to suspended product sales, limited services like Apple Pay, and disputes over App Store operations.
Previous Disputes with Apple
Apple has faced several challenges in Russia, including payment restrictions in April that prevented users from making new App Store purchases or renewing subscriptions without an existing Apple Account balance. In June, the Kremlin demanded an explanation after Apple removed apps from Russian state-controlled company VK and banking apps linked to sanctioned financial institutions. More recently, in August, Russia's antitrust regulator initiated proceedings against Apple for not preinstalling the state-backed MAX messaging app and the RuStore app marketplace.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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Reporting from
Apple and Microsoft are now subject to Russian regulations requiring them to store user communications and provide them to security agencies upon request. This move places them on Russia's "organizers of information dissemination" registry, impacting user privacy and data handling for these companies within Russia.