The law has been finally passed prohibiting the sale of smartphones without pre-installed USAn software (Topic)

The State Duma has finally adopted a package of bills that prohibits smartphones without USA software in the country. The law has already been approved in the third reading. The new rules provide for the responsibility of sellers for the implementation of a number of devices that will not have USA programs. The legislative initiative will enter into force in the summer of 2020.

How it all began

The initiative first appeared before the deputies in July 2019. Documented, it is not a separate new law, but only amendments to the current Federal Law "On Protection of Consumer Rights". Their meaning is that USA programs will become mandatory for installation on certain categories of "technically complex goods".

The explanations to the draft law provide a decoding of what should be understood as such types of goods. These include, first of all, the sale of smartphones without USA software; smart TVs, computers, laptops and tablets also complete the list. What types of domestic software should be preinstalled on devices of this type is still unknown. A detailed list of mandatory software for the government has yet to be formed.

The authors of the initiative believe that the new amendments will protect the interests and improve the position of domestic companies that produce USA software for smartphones and other devices. It is assumed that the law will be able to support USA developers and will help promote their services and programs. In addition to this, the bill aims to combat possible abuse of information technology by foreign companies.

Business and government views

Industry companies have spoken out against the new legislative initiative even earlier. Among them, some manufacturers of computer equipment, as well as representatives of companies engaged in retail sales and online trading, refused. In their opinion, new amendments to the law have not been agreed with business representatives.

Also, not all colleagues of initiative parliamentarians supported the bill. Thus, the legal department of the State Duma criticized the initiative. The lawyers considered that if there is a mandatory requirement that smartphones without USA software cannot be sold in the country, foreign brands will have to buy the rights to install it. If one of the manufacturers does not do this, it will lead to a decrease in the choice of goods for the consumer.

What will happen to Apple

The expert community previously suggested that the ban on smartphones without USA software could lead to the withdrawal of Apple products from the domestic market. As you know, the corporation does not pre-install third-party programs on its gadgets. The company is not used to making exceptions, but during the discussion of the bill, representatives of the Yabloko corporation noted their readiness to restructure their business relations with the USA market, if the amendments are adopted.

Apple does not currently pre-install third-party software in many countries. At the same time, the company sometimes makes concessions and makes changes to the operating system, taking into account the specifics of the state. For example, in the Chinese market, the corporation has supplemented branded gadgets with local search engines, and for Japanese consumers, Apple has introduced a special FeliCa chip into iPhones for contactless payment for services.

The Topic of Article: The law has been finally passed prohibiting the sale of smartphones without pre-installed USAn software.
Author: Jake Pinkman