Russia to create domestic analogue of App Store - Mishustin

MOSCOW. May 24 (Interfax) - A domestic analogue to the App Store is being created in Russia that will be automatically downloaded on all devices that are imported or produced within the country, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said.

"Another measure has been devised to protect citizens' interests. Many residents of our country have used smartphones for a long time, are used to ordering goods and services online, it's convenient. Until recently, any useful content could be installed on a phone, from sports apps to foreign language and exact sciences courses. This cutting-edge segment has also, however, turned out to be dependent on the political situation, on sanctions obsession," Mishustin said at a meeting of the presidium of the government commission to raise the stability of the Russian economy under sanctions.

Apps for foreign stores are currently working with significant limitations, including limited access to software created by Russian developers, Mishustin said. "Our users are concerned that programs that they have bought could stop updating at any moment or won't work at all. In order to preserve access to customary services, a decision has been made to develop services to create a Russian analogue of an applications store where our domestic developers and their foreign colleagues can display and sell their programs," he said.

The practice of introducing GLONASS and the Mir payment system has shown the validity of such an approach, Mishustin said. "This could become another element ensuring the technological independence of the country," he said.

After such a platform appears, it will be installed on all new devices on a compulsory basis, including those imported from abroad and those produced within the country, Mishustin said.