Russia Bans Government Employees Use iPhone and iPads

VIVA – The Russian government through Digital Development Minister Maksut Shadaev has officially imposed a ban on all employees using iPhone and iPads for work.

"Restrictions have been imposed on the use of (Apple-owned) mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets, to access work-related applications and exchange work-related emails," Shadaev explained. 

However, Shadaev explained that the use of iPhones for personal needs is still allowed.

The Ministry of Digital Development officially imposed this ban two months after a statement by Russia's intelligence and internal security agency, the FSB, which said a large several Apple devices were infiltrated with spy software or espionage software belonging to the United States (US) intelligence agency, the NSA.

Apple immediately denied the allegations, while the US National Security Agency (NSA) chose not to respond to the claims.

"We have never worked with any government to put a backdoor into any Apple product and never will," said an Apple spokesperson.

The denial comes after the FSB accused the US NSA of installing malware on Apple iPhones used by Russian, Chinese and Syrian diplomats.

According to the FSB, the United States Government collects information through previously unknown malicious programs, using software vulnerabilities provided by manufacturers.

The FSB also accused Apple of providing the US Government with various opportunities to spy on its clients.

These allegations come as Washington and Moscow are locked in the most serious diplomatic standoff in decades over the ongoing Ukraine conflict.