Russian Digital Development Ministry prohibits employees from using iPhone, iPad devices for work - minister

KALUGA. Aug 14 (Interfax) - The Russian Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media has prohibited its employees from using Apple devices for work, Minister Maksut Shadayev said.

"There is a ban on using mobile devices, smart phones and tablets for accessing work correspondence and applications. There are no other restrictions. IPhones may be used for private purposes," Shadayev told reporters at the Digital Evolution forum on Friday.

From now on, ministry employees will be unable to access work emails and documents on Apple devices, he said.

"Whenever an Android-based phone cannot be used, emails and documents must be accessed by computer," Shadayev said.

The ministry does not plan to buy devices for employees who do not have Android-based devices, he said.

"We are not planning to finance the procurement of personal devices for accessing work applications," Shadayev said.

Deputy Minister of Digital Development Alexander Shoitov told reporters on July 13 that the ministry was planning to prohibit its employees from using iPhones for work.

The Russian Federal Security Service said on June 1 it had uncovered an operation by U.S. security services using malware installed on Apple devices. The FSB said that several thousand devices had been infected in Russia.

A number of agencies and companies, including the Industry and Trade Ministry, the Education Ministry and Rostec, have banned the use of Apple gadgets for work purposes.