Google and Apple can technically disable smartphones in the Russian Federation – Kommersant

Technically, Apple and Google are able to disable smartphones based on iOS and Android in Russia, said Sergei Kuzmenko, head of the Center for Digital Expertise of Roskachestvo. According to him, a mechanism for blocking stolen devices can be used for this. Roskachestvo doubts that American corporations will go ahead with the blockade.

“Apple’s technology has a much more advanced mechanism than Google’s competitors, but in both cases users will encounter serious problems,” said Mr. Kuzmenko “RIA News”. According to him, Apple devices in this case will not be able to be used, all data will be lost. If Android smartphones are locked, it will be possible to extract user data; unlocking will require flashing.

The Roskachestvo expert believes that Apple and Google will not take this step. First, their licensing agreements do not specify which country the device is manufactured for. Secondly, such a decision threatens “huge reputational damage and multimillion-dollar claims.” In addition, there are many foreigners in Russia, who will be difficult to separate from Russians who use smartphones on iOS and Android.

State Duma Deputy Anton Gorelkin did not rule out earlier this week in an interview with the channel “Cart Reality”that Apple will disable iOS devices in the Russian Federation, and Google will disable unflashed Android smartphones if “the conflict moves to a completely different stage,” which “some experts called the Third World War.” The deputy noted that this could be followed by “response actions.” Mr. Gorelkin expressed hope that this would never happen. The deputy was answering the question in what situations in the Russian Federation would it be necessary to turn off the entire Internet.

Leonid Uvarchev