Russia has expanded its state surveillance registry to include two major U.S. tech companies, Apple Inc. and Microsoft Corp. The move, which took effect on October 2, requires these firms to retain user communications and hand them over to Russian security services when requested. The companies were added to a list known as "organizers of information dissemination," as recorded by Roskomnadzor, Russia's communications watchdog.
The inclusion of Apple and Microsoft in this registry signals a broader effort by the Russian government to tighten control over digital communications within its borders. Companies listed as organizers of information dissemination are legally obligated to comply with requests for user data, raising concerns about privacy and data security for users of these platforms.
This development comes amid ongoing tensions between Russia and Western tech firms, many of which have faced regulatory challenges and restrictions in the country. The addition of Apple and Microsoft to the registry underscores the Russian government's determination to assert greater oversight over foreign technology companies operating in its market.