From July 1, gadget manufacturers will have to pre-install a domestic search engine in the downloaded browser by default. Which one – the government will determine later, the press service of the Ministry of Digital Science told TASS.
“From July 1, 2021, users will be provided with the opportunity to use the Russian search engine by default. The procedure for determining the search engine will be established by a government decree,” the Ministry said.
The categories of devices on which programs must be pre-installed (smartphones, Smart TVs, computers and laptops) are indicated in the relevant government decree, it is not planned to change or supplement the existing categories, the ministry said.
“Pre-installation of software is part of a strategy aimed at import substitution and development of Russian digital products. The innovation will create more balanced conditions for competition between domestic developments and foreign services,” added the Ministry of Digital Products.
In January 2021, the Russian government approved a list of Russian programs for pre-installation on smartphones, computers and smart TVs sold in Russia from April 1, 2021. For example, for tablets and smartphones with Android and iOS, including “Yandex.Browser”, “Yandex” search engine, “Yandex.Maps”, “Yandex.Disk”, “Mail.ru Mail”, ICQ messenger, voice assistant must be preinstalled. “Marusya”, “News Mail.ru”, social networks “VKontakte” and “Odnoklassniki”, MirPay (only Android), “Gosuslugi” and others.
Discussion about this post