Russian government prohibits use of iPhones and gives 11 days for employees to drop the device: ‘Throw it away’

O Kremlin recommended that officials involved in preparations for the 2024 presidential election in Russia let them use the iPhone, citing concerns that the devices are being used for spying, the newspaper reported.Kommersant‘. First Deputy Minister Sergei Kiriyenko urged officials to change their phone numbers by April 1. “It’s all over for the iPhone: either throw it away, or give it to the kids. Everyone will have to do it in March,” Kommersant said, quoting one of the participants. Asked on Monday about the matter, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he could not confirm the report, however, he said. “Smartphones should not be used for official business. Any smartphone has a fairly transparent engine, no matter what operating system it has – Android or IOS. Naturally, they are not used for official purposes,” said Peskov. Apple has not commented on the matter. Kommersant reported that the Kremlin may provide other devices to replace the iPhones. The Russian President, Vladimir Putindoes not have a smartphone, however, from time to time he uses the internet.