Russian officials have been told to get rid of their iPhones by April due to concerns over potential hacking and espionage by Western experts. According to newspaper Kommersant, the first deputy head of the domestic political unit of the President of Russia set the deadline for replacing the phones. The ban applies to employees of four departments of the unit, including those involved in domestic policy, public projects, and the activities of the State Council. The first three departments will also participate in the 2024 presidential election campaign. The ban will also extend to regional administration officials. The move is seen as a security precaution, with American phones believed to be more susceptible to hacking than their Chinese and other foreign equivalents. Kommersant reports that the Kremlin may purchase new safe smartphones for its employees.
AP domestic political unit employees must ditch iPhone by April 1
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