This has sent a very ominous signal, Russia's move by the United States | Russia | action

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This move by Russia sends a very ominous signal.

I am not referring to the Ukrainian battlefield, but to another front line without gunpowder. According to media reports, the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade announced that from July 17th, employees will be prohibited from using Apple phones and other Apple devices at work due to concerns about US espionage activities.

Russia has publicly taken an apple surgery, which seems to be not a departmental decision yet.

According to the Financial Times, similar bans have already been implemented or will soon be implemented by the Russian Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Energy, and other official institutions.

Why?

Worried about the back door of the phone and worried about eavesdropping in the United States.

Last month, the Russian Federal Security Agency announced that they had discovered that US security agencies were using unknown malicious software to infiltrate Apple phones for espionage activities, including malicious intrusion into the phones of some foreign diplomats stationed in Russia. In the view of the Russian Federal Security Agency, the relationship between the US national security agency and Apple is too close.

Apple immediately refuted this accusation, stating, "We have never cooperated with any government and inserted software backdoors into any Apple product, and we will never do so."

But Apple's denial is invalid, and Russia is still promoting "de apple". This has also led to a phenomenon where some Russian government employees can use Apple devices in their personal lives, but they are prohibited from using them in their work.

The Financial Times quoted an insider as saying, "When someone opens a work email on their iPhone, IT experts report it. Everyone complains about inconvenience because they have to carry another phone or tablet with them."

The situation is like this, obviously it is an ominous signal.

From my personal perspective, at least on three levels.

At the company level, this is a heavy blow to Apple's reputation.

Although Apple has determined that its products have no backdoors and will not engage in such cooperation with any government. But Russia does not believe it and believes it has some kind of evidence.

What would other countries think?

You should know that leaked intelligence from the United States shows that it has conducted eavesdropping on leaders of many countries such as Germany and South Korea.

Moreover, the one Putin used is definitely not an Apple phone.

2. At the national level, Russia is also retaliating and treating its people in the same way.

After all, Russians are more aware that the United States has long imposed strict bans on Russian products and software under the guise of national security.

In fact, there is not just one Russia?

For Huawei and ZTE, the United States has always accused them of national security risks, but has the United States provided any evidence?

There is no evidence, and the United States, not only itself, has also coerced other countries to carry out a comprehensive strangulation of Huawei and ZTE.

The United States has security concerns, how could Russia not? So, let's take the apple and have a surgery.

At the international level, this mutual suspicion has actually exacerbated global decoupling.

Apple is just a more prominent target. In fact, as early as March this year, Putin issued a presidential decree calling for a ban on all state agencies and semi government entities from purchasing foreign software for critical infrastructure projects without authorization, starting from March 31st.

In addition, starting from January 1, 2025, any government agency or user in Russia is prohibited from using foreign software in critical information infrastructure projects.

Of course, the United States has stricter bans on Russia and major Eastern powers.

This mutual suspicion has actually exacerbated global decoupling.

Will there be such a situation in the future: the United States is a system, China is a system, Russia is another system, oh, Europe may also be a separate system, don't forget, Europe's eavesdropping on the United States is also not daring to speak out.

Globalization has become fragmented as a result, and global markets have become small ponds. For the sake of so-called national security, each country has paid a high price, and many multinational companies are in a dilemma. No matter how they explain it, they will be seen as tools by hostile countries.

Who is the initiator?

In Russia's view, the United States is the only one.

This world's most powerful country possesses the most advanced science and technology, but lacks any confidence in this area, and even slanders and demonizes software and equipment from other countries. How could other countries possibly trust the United States? How could you possibly trust American companies and products?

This world has indeed changed. We have seen the best era of globalization before, but now we are watching as this era enters endless darkness.

But the world is fair, and when you come out to mess around, you always have to pay back.

Apple from the United States, the world's largest market value Apple, and the Apple that has earned the most money in the world, have become the most prominent target. After all, many people in this world do like Apple products, but Apple products are not irreplaceable.

But what kind of danger would it be if such a world becomes increasingly divided, suspicious, and loses basic trust?

The prospect is unpredictable, and it really makes people take a breath of cold air.