Russian Digital Development Ministry doesn't see large risks for Android users, but questions iOS

MOSCOW. March 22 (Interfax) - A marketplace for domestic apps will be created on the Android platform, which will preclude risks for those who own gadgets using this operating system, but Apple users will still be at risk, Russian Digital Development, Communications, and Mass Media Minister Maksut Shadayev said.

"We have already formulated a legislative initiative to create a Russian marketplace. It's clear that we can create one now on the Android platform due to its greater openness, flexibility, and so on. Therefore, this work has already begun in several companies. And I'm sure that in this sense, there aren't a lot of risks for Android users," Shadayev said at an expanded meeting of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy dedicated to the development of the IT sector under sanctions.

"Questions remain" for iOS users, Shadayev said. "We're in touch with Apple now, and in principal, the company has a constructive position. We know that colleagues are undertaking certain efforts, and payments are still being performed through mobile providers on the App Store," he said.

"Therefore, we're going to hope that iPhones won't turn into bricks here," Shadayev said in response to a question from Information Policy Committee Chairman Alexander Khinshtein on what Russians should do if foreign-made gadgets "are turned off tomorrow" and how Russia will be able to respond.

A number of retailers and services have announced that they have suspended work in Russia in connection with the situation in Ukraine, among them Apple.