Russia Declares Ban on iPhones

The Kremlin has ordered officials involved in preparations for next year’s Russian presidential election to stop using iPhones in light of concerns that Western intelligence agencies could hack into the devices, Russian newspaper Kommersant reported on Monday. Officials have changed their phones by April 1, during a seminar organized by the Kremlin for officials involved in domestic politics.

“It’s over for iPhones. Throw them away or give them to your children. Everyone should change their phones in March,” the newspaper said, quoting one of the meeting participants.

Kommersant said the Kremlin could supply devices with different operating systems to replace iPhones, adding that the orders to stop using iPhones are for those working in foreign policy under Kiriyenko.

President Vladimir Putin has often said he doesn’t use smartphones, but Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin does use the internet from time to time.

And shortly after sending troops to Ukraine last year, British and American spies said they were the first to reveal information that Putin was planning an invasion, and it is not yet known how the spies obtained that information.