Google Play and App Store might restrict the access of Russians to their apps, disallowing them to download any app. In order to be ready for such scenarios, yesterday, the Russian government submitted to the State Duma a draft law on the Russian application store. Moreover, once it’s ready to launch, the gov will require mobile device importers and manufacturers to install it before sending the gadgets to the stores.
Russian Application Store Will Include Only Apps Confirmed By KGB Ministry of Digital Development
The Russian application store will include only the apps included in the list of the Ministry of Digital Development. They will create the analog of the App Store and Google Play without attracting budgetary funds.
Further reading: Russians Can No Longer Download Windows 10 And 11 From Microsoft Website
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The developers of the document said that they have to act so. The reasons behind include sanctions, uncertainty with the supply of equipment, and disconnection from the IT infrastructure. The document notes that the purpose of creating a Russian application store is to provide Russians with familiar Internet services and channels of interaction. This is going to be the first standalone Russian application store. That’s why the project proposes amendments to federal laws on consumer protection and on information, information technologies, and information protection.
At the end of April, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin instructed the Ministry of Digital Development to create a domestic analog of the App Store and Google Play app stores by June 1. Mishustin explained that foreign platforms may soon restrict Russians’ access to download applications. By the end of May, two app stores appeared in Russia – RuStore from VK and NashStore, which is made by Digital Platforms ANO.
RuStore has become the pioneer in the country. We’ll see how it develops. But it has already managed to consolidate the industry around it. Yandex and nine other major IT companies entered the expert council that forms the principles of RuStore. They include Sberbank, Avito, Rostelecom, and Tinkoff,
