In Russia, adopted a “law against Apple”

In Russia, banned the sale of smartphones, PCs and TVs without Russian software
In its third final reading, the Russian State Duma adopted amendments to the law “On Protection of Consumer Rights”, which obliges Russian software applications to be installed on smartphones, computers and televisions with Smart-TV function sold in Russia.

The list of pre-installed programs (search engines, instant messengers, maps, anti-virus programs, etc.) will be determined by a government decree. The law was adopted in three readings, if signed by the president, it will enter into force on July 1, 2020.

For the sale of smartphones and other electronics without Russian programs, they offer to fine sellers in the amount of up to 200 thousand rubles. However, it was previously reported that users will have the opportunity to remove Russian programs and install foreign analogues on their devices.

Why is it called the “law against Apple”? The fact is that Apple promised to leave Russia in the event of the adoption of such a law. Apple does not preinstall third-party applications on its devices.

The vast majority of large manufacturers of equipment and electronics that work in Russia are against this law. They believe that the law will negatively affect the Russian market of both electrical engineering and software. Representatives of the Association of Retail Companies (AKORT), the Association of Trading Companies and Manufacturers of Household and Computer Equipment (RATEK) and the Association of Internet Trading Companies (AKIT) tried to explain what negative consequences the law might entail, but their appeals were not taken into account in the second, nor at the third reading.