A woman takes pictures by her smartphone at the Red Square in Moscow. (AFP/Kyiv Post)

Smartphones in Russia Must Use Local Software—Lawmakers Propose

Kinanty Nadia Putri
Business & Industry
Electronic Device
Jul 20, 2019
2336
Russia is currently in a bid to making domestic software producers a champ in their home country.

As the cell-phone market is mainly dominated by foreign phone products like Apple, Samsung, and Huawei, a bill aims to support the move was proposed by Russian lawmakers on Thursday (7/18) to the lower house of parliament.

According to the draft bill, all electronic devices including smartphones, smart TVs, and computers sold in Russia will be required to be pre-installed with certain locally-made software. To make this into law, the bill needs three votes from the lower house of parliament and then approved by the upper house before President Vladimir Putin says ‘yes’ to the bill proposal.

It will come to force in July 2020 if passed.

Russian lawmakers also proposed to fine companies from US$790 to US$3,170 for not selling devices that are not pre-installed with Russian local made software starting from January 2021.

Cited from another source, the Russian government is reported to have held several rounds of meetings with international smartphone manufacturers to talk about the new law.

However, Apple—one of the top smartphone manufacturers in Russia—warned that the introduction of the new controversial rules might prompt the company to rethink its business in the country, Apple’s representatives said in one of the meetings.

Source: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/business/russian-lawmakers-propose-making-local-software-mandatory-on-smartphones-11738564

Russia , Regulation , Electronic , Device , Business , Apple , Software , Bill