Despite ban, purchase of Apple iPhones by govt officials quadruples in a year in Russia- The Week

Despite Vladimir Putin’s administration restricting government officials from purchasing Apple’s iPhone, the purchase of the American phone by Russian government officials has increased multifold this year. Within nine months in 2024, the procurement of iPhones by Russian government officials has grown four times.

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Within nine months of 2024, the Russian government’s procurement of iPhones has grown four times compared to the corresponding period in 2023, a Russian daily reported.  Vedomosti, a Russian daily, reported from January to September in 2024, the total amount of contracts for Apple iPhone by Russian government officials for the first three quarters of 2024 amounted to  RUB 6,879,899. According to the Tenderplan trading platform, the sale of first three quarters of 2024 was higher compared to RUB 1,642,166 for the same period in 2023.

In June last year, Russia’s Federal Security Service claimed it had uncovered an American espionage operation and sophisticated surveillance software was used to compromise thousands of iPhones. However, Apple denied the allegations. The Kremlin had directed Russian authorities to ditch iPhones and move to phones with the Android operating system, the Russian Aurora system or Chinese software over security concerns.

The Kremlin had also directed authorities involved in the 2024 Presidential polls to stop using iPhones because of security concerns. The government also banned authorities from using iPhones and iPads for work emails and applications.

According to reports, the latest iPhone 16 is on high demand in Russia despite Apple halting exports to over Ukraine conflict. Unfazed by higher prices and using so-called grey or parallel imports that Russia legalised to enable the import of goods without the brand owners’ permission, Russians have been keen to get their hands on Apple’s devices, Reuters reported.