Finance
According to media reports, Russia has barred government personnel from using Apple iPhones due to US monitoring claims.
According to the Financial Times, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSS) has ordered thousands of officials to stop using iPhones and other Apple goods such as iPads.
Employees at Russia’s commerce ministry will no longer be permitted to use iPhones at work beginning July 17, according to the article.
“Security officials in ministries — these are FSB employees who hold civilian positions such as deputy ministers — announced that iPhones were no longer considered safe and that alternates should be sought,” the report said, quoting sources.
The FSB and officials “truly believe that Americans can use their equipment for wiretapping”.
They added while the FSB has “long been concerned about the use of iPhones for professional contacts”, there may be some resistance to the change.
The Kremlin ordered officials to stop using Apple goods in March, claiming concerns that the devices were vulnerable to US hacking.
Last month, the Russian government accused Apple of collaborating with US espionage services, which the tech giant categorically rejected.
Apple said the company has “never worked with any government to insert a backdoor into any Apple product”.
The ban on Apple products at leading ministries and institutions “reflects growing concern in the Kremlin and the Federal Security Service spy agency over a surge in espionage activity by US intelligence agencies against Russian state institutions”, the report claimed.
According to a Rostec official, the limits apply to all Apple devices.
However, their personal usage is still permitted.
Source:IANS
