Russian government purchases of Apple iPhones rise

Apple’s A18-powered iPhone 16
The Russian government significantly increased its iPhone purchases in the first nine months of 2024, acquiring four times more devices compared to the same period last year. This surge occurred despite restrictions on certain officials using Apple products.
Reuters:
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Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said in June 2023 that it had uncovered an American espionage operation that compromised thousands of iPhones using sophisticated surveillance software, an allegation Apple denied. The Kommersant newspaper last year reported that the Kremlin had told officials involved in preparations for Russia’s 2024 presidential election to stop using iPhones because of concerns the devices are vulnerable to Western intelligence agencies.
Vedomosti, citing an unnamed representative of the Tenderplan trading platform, said the value of contracts involving iPhones for the first three quarters of the year amounted to 6.9 million roubles ($71,469), up from 1.6 million roubles the year before.
The latest iPhone 16 is on sale and in high demand in Russia, despite Apple halting exports to Russia over the conflict in Ukraine.
Unfazed by higher prices and using so-called grey or parallel imports that Russia legalised to enable the import of goods without the brand owners’ permission, Russians have been keen to get their hands on Apple’s devices.

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MacDailyNews Take: Если это не iPhone, то это не iPhone.

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