Ministry sees no need in preinstalled Russian software on smartphones

MOSCOW, Apr 5 (PRIME) – There is no urgent need in preinstallation of Russian applications on imported smartphones and tablets, Digital Development Minister Konstantin Noskov told reporters on Friday.

“The Federal Antimonopoly Service has made such proposals. We’ve studied them…I don’t see any urgency in the initiatives of this kind. When we find it necessary, we’ll kick off the process,” Noskov said.

In January, the antitrust service’s Deputy Director Anatoly Golomolzin said that Apple could be forced to preinstall Russian antiviruses to sell its devices in the country. He also said that foreign software would not be fully substituted with local products.

Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev ordered in 2018 to work out a bill on requirements to preinstall local software on smartphones and computers. The document was to be prepared by the Digital Development Ministry and the Federal Antimonopoly Service by April.

End