iPhones will not be shut down in Russia: The Ministry of Digital Development responded to a request for a smartphone registry.

The Ministry of Digital Development, Communications, and Mass Media stated that authorities do not plan to shut down iPhones en masse in Russia following the introduction of a unified device registry. The latest removal of Russian apps from the App Store has sparked concern. Therefore, State Duma Deputy Vladimir Plyakin sent an official request to the ministry seeking clarification on the future of Apple devices.

What did the Ministry respond?

Plyakin publicly commented on the response he received from officials and urged device owners not to panic.

"Current legislation does not provide the authority to terminate communications for specific manufacturers' equipment. In short: Apple is safe. There are no such legal powers. We'll be working around the remaining inconveniences for now using third-party methods, as we've become accustomed to. We can breathe easy. For now."

Furthermore, the new smartphone registry is expected to be fully operational in September. As a result, telecom operators will begin registering device identification numbers (IMEI), monitoring their changes, and blocking service for prohibited devices.

Apple precedents and user skepticism

Apple services have already been blocked in the country. However, these were carried out by the American company itself, and only against sanctioned lawmakers. As a result, some of them declared their readiness to demonstratively give up their iPhones.

Nevertheless, citizens are wary of the latest government promises. The Ministry of Digital Development has previously stated that the authorities will not block WhatsApp and Telegram or impose restrictions on VPNs. However, disruptions to these messaging apps occur almost daily, and experts do not rule out the imminent introduction of fees for bypassing these blocks.