Russian Defense Ministry denies ban on use of mobile phones produced by specific manufacturers
MOSCOW. Nov 24 (Interfax) - The Russian army has no bans on the use of mobile communications, let alone products manufactured by specific manufacturers, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said.
"The publication of such information in a leading Russian media publication may indicate the insufficient technical awareness of its authors because the capabilities of modern smartphones manufactured by foreign manufacturers, regardless of the software installed in them, are virtually identical," Konashenkov told reporters on Monday.
Konashenkov said "the current restrictions on the use of mobile communications by servicemen apply to the location and time of their use in everyday service, not trademarks or specific manufacturers," he said.
"It also has to be said that the position of the Russian Defense Ministry on this issue was communicated to the author by phone when the material was being prepared. However, it was not taken into account, citing 'an editorial assignment,'" Konashenkov said.
"In this regard, we do not rule out the possibility that the publication of this false information may constitute hidden advertising of a specific manufacturer of gadgets and its product characteristics before the New Year sales," he said.
The media reported earlier that servicemen had been banned from using smartphones manufactured by a well-known foreign company.
