Russian Lawmaker Prepares Bill Banning all MPs from using Apple's iPhone on Security Grounds
Europe's RT network reported late yesterday that a leftist Russian lawmaker has prepared a bill recommending all MPs to stop using iPhones and iPads to protect themselves from eavesdropping by foreign special services. What is with Russia's paranoia over the iPhone? In early July we reported that Apple could get dragged into Russia's new Internet Bill. Then in late July we reported that Russia was demanding Apple's source code to ensure security. Of course that particular demand had nothing to with helping Russia's new state-owned smartphone company Rostec learn something about the iPhone's secret sauce, said skeptically. Then again, I suppose the leftist Russian lawmaker must have heard that Russia's entire market caps had fallen below that of Apple and decided that they had to do something to reverse that trend. I'd say that was a joke, but who knows with flaky Russia these days.
According to the RT Network news report, "Dmitry Gorovtsov, of the center-left Fair Russia party, told the Interfax news agency that his suggestion applied primarily to politicians who had access to classified information. He listed members of the committees for security and defense in the State Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, as an example of people who regularly had to work with state secrets."
Gorovtsov stated that "In principle, the MPs know that using the most primitive mobile phones, those that cost no more than $20, is a guarantee not only against the theft of your own financial data or spying on your e-mail, but also against bugging."
The report further added that Russian officials and politicians regularly raise the topic of restrictions on certain hardware and software products, citing concerns over national security and the personal wellbeing of citizens.
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