Russia Mandates Support for State App Store

(MENAFN) Russian President Vladimir Putin has enacted new legislation requiring smartphone manufacturers to ensure their devices are compatible with RuStore, the government-backed application platform.

This decision, formalized on Monday, predominantly impacts Apple because of its tightly controlled iOS ecosystem.

The regulation, introduced as a revision to Russia’s Consumer Protection Law, broadens existing requirements regarding preloaded software.

It specifically prohibits device producers from restricting essential features such as "payments," "search," "updates," or "settings."

The legislation is primarily aimed at Apple, a company recognized for its stringent software control.

Previously, the European Union compelled Apple to permit the use of third-party app marketplaces on iOS products sold within EU territories.

As things stand, installing RuStore on an iOS device remains unfeasible without unconventional methods.

Android smartphone manufacturers are affected to a lesser extent. Companies like Samsung, Huawei, and Honor currently do not ship phones with RuStore preinstalled.

However, the app can be added easily on these devices and generally operates without significant restrictions.

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