Why Is Russia Banning Apple iPhones And iPads, After ApplePay?

Russia has implemented a ban on the use of Apple iPhones and iPads for work-related purposes by its employees, according to the Ministry of Digital Development. 

Minister Maksut Shadaev announced the prohibition during a digital conference, stating that the ban covers the use of Apple mobile devices for accessing work applications and exchanging work-related emails. However, personal usage of iPhones is still permitted.

The ban comes after the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) claimed that thousands of Apple devices, including those with Russian SIM cards and those registered to Moscow diplomatic missions in various countries, were compromised due to a supposed U.S.-orchestrated espionage operation. 

Apple completely denied these allegations, asserting that it does not collaborate with any government to create backdoors in its products. The U.S. National Security Agency, implicated by the FSB, did not respond to the claims.

In response to the alleged espionage efforts, Russia’s Ministry of Trade had previously instructed its workers not to use iPhones for work purposes in July, specifically targeting “work-related” use of iPhones. This ban seems to be an extension of that directive.

The ban comes on the heels of concerns about digital espionage and hacking on a global scale, with countries like Russia and China often facing accusations from Western nations. 

Russia has already banned Apple Pay on March 1, 2022. The ban prevented Russian Mastercard and Visa cardholders from using Apple Pay. Apple Pay also stopped working with Mir cards, which are a Russian payment system.

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The government has also banned the import of many US products and services. Now the Russian government is also banning Apple products, including iPhones & iPads from their official work purposes.