Domestic software: what does the law on the pre-installation of Russian software on gadgets mean?

Vladimir Putin signed the law on the pre-installation of Russian programs and applications on gadgets. It will enter into force on July 1, 2020. According to the document and an explanatory note from the State Duma, manufacturers of smartphones, computers and TVs with Smart TV technology will have to pre-install software developed in the Russian Federation. This does not apply to all devices - later the government will draw up an appropriate list. Also, the Cabinet will create a list of Russian software for preset. Why do we need a new law and how it can affect the gadget market - in the material RT.

What does it mean?

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law on pre-installing Russian software for technically sophisticated products. Among them - smartphones, computers and televisions with Smart TV.

According to the authors of the bill, the list of programs for installation should include free Russian applications - for example, services such as State Services.

There is no list with specific names yet: the government will determine the procedure for compiling and maintaining it.

What is the law for?

As one of the authors of the bill, Oleg Nikolaev, said the new rules are aimed at protecting consumer rights. According to him, in this way buyers will have the opportunity to choose including domestic applications.

“Now, when buying a smartphone, a person sees a lot of applications, but among them there is no Gosuslugi.ru resource, for example. But 90 million people use it in Russia ... And no money is required to preinstall this application. It will be necessary to perform several simple actions, activating it, and that’s it. He doesn’t want, he doesn’t activate, ”he said in an interview with Moskovsky Komsomolets.

What programs offer pre-installed and why?

According to Nikolaev, the list for pre-installation will include free applications that will not affect the operation of gadget operating systems.

“We are talking about resources such as tax services, the Pension Fund,” the deputy said.

At the end of July, the Internet Development Institute compiled a list of Russian “alternatives to foreign products that may be included in the register of mandatory domestic mobile applications.” The list was compiled taking into account the functionality of services and their relevance among users, the IRI said.

In particular, in the category of “messenger”, the Islamic Republic of Iran names ICQ, “TamTam” and “Dialogue” as an alternative, in the category of “browser / search” - “Yandex”, “Rambler” and “Satellite”. As a preinstalled editor, experts advise My Office. IRI also offers to install Russian social networks Vkontakte and Odnoklassniki, as well as domestic anti-viruses Kaspersky and Dr.Web.

As an alternative to foreign music services, experts see the applications Yandex.Music, Boom, Zaycev.net and Zvooq, digital TV - IVI.ru, Okko, Amediateka, Kinopoisk.

Commenting on the list compiled by Iran, another author of the bill, Aleksey Kanaev, noted that he would add programs such as Government Services.

“This will depend, among other things, on software developers, because there is already experience in implementing such an interaction between the government and developers. It implies a declarative principle and initiative actions on the part of developers who would like to be included in this registry, accordingly, apply their proposals when preparing this registry, ”he said in an interview with Kommersant.

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How will the list be formed?

Nikolaev suggested that the list will be dealt with by the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Communications. According to Kanayev, the list will be updated "at least once a year, maybe once every six months."

“Devices are changing, and life does not stand still, new developments appear, new improved programs, and, of course, it cannot be frozen, including for reasons of competition. Software developers should also have a competitive environment - getting into the list should not mean that you can calm down, do nothing and not think about the client, ”Kanaev said.

He emphasized that preinstalling software is not a substitute, but providing additional choices for gadget buyers.

“The consumer can choose Russian software or what the foreign manufacturers put, respectively, those developments. The choice, in the end, remains with the consumer anyway, ”he said.

When will it take effect?

The law will enter into force on July 1, 2020. According to Kanaev, the time lag is long enough to solve all technical issues.

Is this law against Apple?

As Nikolaev explained, the new law, in principle, will not affect Apple, and the company has no reason to leave the market.

“Apple has worked and will work. In principle, the new requirements do not even concern Apple directly - pre-installation will be the task of distributors through whom the products of this company are sold in Russia, ”he said.

Will gadgets go up in price?

With the proper organization of the process, the law will not lead to more expensive devices. This was stated by the head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia Denis Manturov.

“The new law equalizes the right of access to the consumer of domestic and foreign software. Currently, only foreign applications are preinstalled. We believe that with the competent organization of the process this will not lead to an increase in the cost for buyers of gadgets, ”RIA Novosti quoted the minister as saying.