Russia may treat Apple’s refusal to remove Russian opposition leader, lawyer, and anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny’s app from their stores as meddling in its parliamentary election this month, Interfax news agency cited the communications regulator as saying on Thursday.
Allies of Navalny, President Vladimir Putin’s fiercest domestic opponent, plan to use the app to organise a tactical voting campaign to deal a blow to the pro-Kremlin United Russia ruling party that dominates the political landscape.
The jailed politician’s tactical voting plan is one of the last levers he and his allies have after a crackdown this summer outlawed his movement as “extremist.”
Communications watchdog Roskomnadzor said Google and Apple could face an initial fine of up to 4 million roubles ($55,000) for not restricting access to the app, Interfax said. “Failure to take action is a breach of Russian law… and may also be viewed as interference by the U.S. companies in Russia’s elections,” it said.
MacDailyNews Take: Oh, crap! How is Apple ever going to be able to afford $55,000?!
I’m sure those commie COVID comrades applaud the situation.
Putin moves in silence. That fine pales in comparison to what he might really do to Apple behind the scenes.
When you’re the IT Department, these things are possible.
Have no fear. The brilliant Grandpa Dementia will be on it.
We all watched for 4 years as Orange Dotard praised Putin and took ZERO actions to prevent Russian hacking and IP theft.
What is your point again?
I’m sure Apple will treat the matter the same way as they treat such matters in China.
Yes indeed, CAVE IN to dictator demands…