Yandex Pay App Permanently Removed from App Store Across All Regions Due to Sanctions

Russian Minister Proposes Blocking All SIM Cards Linked to Fraudsters Banned in MAX Messenger

The head of Russia's Ministry of Digital Development, Maksut Shadaev, has suggested extending account bans in the MAX messenger to a broader set of mobile restrictions. Under the proposal, operators would be required to disconnect not only the number used in a fraudulent account but also any other SIM cards belonging to the same individual. The measure would also introduce a cooling-off period preventing the person from registering new numbers after a ban. Officials aim to make it significantly harder for scammers to resume operations following enforcement actions. Key implementation details, including how ownership and involvement in fraud will be verified, remain unspecified in the initial statement. The initiative specifically targets fraud prevention and does not apply to every account suspension in the messenger.

Russia Ready to Disclose Source Code of Social Networks, Messengers and AI Models

Russian Minister of Digital Development Maksut Shadaev announced that the country is prepared to open the source code of its domestic social networks, messengers, and video services to international partners. Shadaev stated that Russia will show the internal structure of these platforms and allow joint modification of algorithms. The proposal was presented at the Platform of Sovereign Development exhibition and reported by TASS. He contrasted Western IT products, described as opaque black boxes, with Russia's new approach of transparency to avoid what he called digital colonialism. The same offer extends to Russian foundational AI models, which could be adapted to foreign legislation, cultural requirements, and security standards. No specific products, repository links, timelines, or licensing terms were provided during the speech.

Russia Mulls Mandatory Two-Week IMEI Registration for Foreign Smartphones via Gosuslugi

Russian authorities are discussing a new rule requiring owners of smartphones imported without customs clearance or purchased abroad to register the devices through the Gosuslugi portal within two weeks. Failure to register would result in the device being blocked from Russian mobile networks. The Ministry of Digital Development is preparing the requirements, which remain under discussion with possible changes to timelines and details. Devices already operating in Russia before April 2027 would be exempt and continue working without restrictions. Officially imported equipment would be added to the registry automatically. The measure is expected to significantly impact gray-market sellers, potentially forcing up to 70 percent of them out of the market and driving price increases of up to 40 percent for some models.