Apple and Google can turn off their smartphones in Russia

American companies Apple and Google can technically disable all their smartphones in Russia. Sergey Kuzmenko, head of the Roskachestvo digital expertise center, said this in an interview with RIA Novosti, clarifying that in such a scenario, all those devices will become useless. However, there is also good news, according to the expert, such a step is not beneficial for the technological giants, as it involves huge reputational risks.

The technical possibility of turning off smartphones in Russia

Sergey Kuzmenko explained that it is theoretically and technically possible to disable all Apple and Android smartphones that use Google services in Russia. This will happen by the same mechanism when blocking stolen devices.

"Apple's technology has a much more advanced mechanism than Google's competitors, but in both cases, users will face serious problems," the expert said.

He emphasized that in the case of disconnection, in the case of Apple devices, the phones will be completely locked, and the users will lose all their personal data stored in them. Owners of smartphones with the Android operating system will be a little more fortunate։ it will be possible to restore their data, but it will be almost impossible to "revive" the smartphone without significant financial costs and without changing the software, the expert emphasized.

Kuzmenko doubted that these technological giants would take such a step. "First, when purchasing modern smartphones for mass use, it is not indicated on them exactly for which country it was produced, and in the license agreement, which the user agrees a priori when buying the device, Apple and Google do not have such blocking conditions. Second, if corporations do take such a step, it will result in massive reputational damage and multi-million dollar lawsuits against corporations,” he said.

What started the thread?

The fact that Apple and Google can disable smartphones running on Android and iOS in Russia if they receive such an order from the US authorities was stated a few days ago in an interview with the YouTube channel Cart Reality by the Information Policy and Technologies of the State Duma of Russia. and Anton Gorelkin, the chairman of the communication commission.

"If the armed conflict moves to a completely different stage and the law reaches its peak, I'm talking about what some experts call World War III, then I guess Apple will turn off all iPhones in Russia and Google will disable android phones... However, I hope and believe that this will never happen," said Gorelkin.