Kremlin officials involved in President Vladimir Putin’s 2024 re-election campaign have been banned from using Apple iPhones over fears that the devices are more vulnerable to spying, Russian newspaper Kommersant reported on Monday.
At a seminar organized by the Kremlin for officials involved in domestic politics, Sergei Kiriyenko, the first deputy head of the presidential administration, told officials to change their phone numbers by April 1, Kommersant reported, citing unnamed sources.
The ban could also reach officials in Russia’s regional administrations, the publication added.
“O [uso de] iPhone is gone. Throw it away or give it to the children,” published Kommersant, quoting one of the meeting participants. “Everyone will have to do it in March.”
When When asked about the matter on Monday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he could not confirm the report.
“Smartphones must not be used for official business,” Peskov told reporters. “Any smartphone has a very transparent mechanism, regardless of the operating system – Android or iOS. Naturally, they are not used for official purposes.”
According to Kommersant, the Kremlin believes that iPhones are more susceptible to hackers and spying by Western experts than other smartphones.
The publication says that the Kremlin requested that the authorities replace their iPhones with Chinese or Russian androids or similar devices. The government is also considering replacing iPhones discarded by employees with “new and safe” devices.
President Vladimir Putin has always said he doesn’t own a smartphone, although Peskov said Putin uses the Internet from time to time.
*Published by Fernanda Pinotti, with information from Reuters and CNN Portugal
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
