Russia is requesting that Apple hands over its source code used in its products to ensure iOS and Mac devices are not being used for government surveillance programs. The request was reportedly made last week when the Communications Minister Nikolai Nikiforov met with Apple's general manager in Russia, Peter Engrob Nielsen.
"Edward Snowden's revelations in 2013 and U.S. intelligence services' public statements about the strengthening of surveillance of Russia in 2014 have raised a serious question of trust in foreign software and hardware," Nikiforov said in the statement on Tuesday.
"Obviously, companies which disclose the source code of their programmes are not hiding anything, but those who do not intend to establish cooperation with Russia on this issue may have undeclared capabilities in their products," Nikiforov said.
The proposal was also sent to software corporation SAP, a move the ministry claims will 'ensure the rights of consumers and corporate users.' As noted in the report, the ministry cited its decade-long relationship with Microsoft, which has been sharing its source code for Windows and other products.
Apple has long denied any backdoors or access to servers by government surveillance programs. Just recently the Chinese state sponsored media labeled the iPhone a national security threat due to its location service features.
Both SAP and Apple declined any immediate comment.
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"Edward Snowden's revelations in 2013 and U.S. intelligence services' public statements about the strengthening of surveillance of Russia in 2014 have raised a serious question of trust in foreign software and hardware," Nikiforov said in the statement on Tuesday.
"Obviously, companies which disclose the source code of their programmes are not hiding anything, but those who do not intend to establish cooperation with Russia on this issue may have undeclared capabilities in their products," Nikiforov said.
The proposal was also sent to software corporation SAP, a move the ministry claims will 'ensure the rights of consumers and corporate users.' As noted in the report, the ministry cited its decade-long relationship with Microsoft, which has been sharing its source code for Windows and other products.
Apple has long denied any backdoors or access to servers by government surveillance programs. Just recently the Chinese state sponsored media labeled the iPhone a national security threat due to its location service features.
Both SAP and Apple declined any immediate comment.
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