Chinese electronics manufacturers have started pre-installing the Russian online app store RuStore on their devices, Kommersant writes, citing sources. Tecno confirmed this information to the publication, according to interlocutors, manufacturers Realme, Xiaomi, Infinix, Itel and Vivo also pre-install RuStore on devices intended for shipments to the Russian Federation.
The Russian application market RuStore was included in the list of programs required for pre-installation on smartphones sold in the country on January 1. In spring, the Ministry of Digital Development introduced the pre-installation procedure. According to the rules, RuStore must integrate with the system to the same extent as regular app markets.
Electronics manufacturers and retailers have asked the agency to review the new rules, fearing the requirements could lead to disconnection of manufacturers from Google services around the world.
Some models of Chinese brands with a pre-installed domestic online store are already sold in the Russian Federation, says a Kommersant source and confirms the Ministry of Digital Development. However, it is not specified what these devices are.
According to Viktor Rykov, a lawyer at KA Pen & Paper, some manufacturers may be bound by the terms of a license agreement with Google. Therefore, pre-installing RuStore for them carries certain risks, in particular, the corporation may stop sharing part of the profit from Play Store payments.
At the same time, Tecno clarified that they do not violate agreements with the American company.
Another source of the publication notes that today in Russia, all device manufacturers require pre-installation of the domestic market from the factory.
“Also, somehow hiding or adding an “empty” icon to the desktop will not work, the Ministry of Digital Development requires exactly the installed APK file of the application,” says Kommersant’s interlocutor.
RuStore completed the beta test, which has been running since May 2022, in February. The market has opened up the possibility of hosting applications for foreign developers. One of the first foreign applications was the Likee short video service.
Author:
Natalia Gormaleva
Source: RB
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