FAS PRESENTED A CONCEPT OF A DRAFT DECREE ON PREINSTALLING RUSSIAN SOFTWARE

On 22 January 2020, a Working Group of FAS Expert Council on Information Technologies  discussed a concept of a draft act of the Government of the Russian Federation on setting requirements in accord with the law*

Representatives of FAS, Rospotrebnadzor [the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-Being], and communications service providers, different associations and software vendors took part in the working meeting.

Deputy Head of FAS Anatoly Golomolzin said: “The draft regulates how, when, on what kind of equipment Russian software must be pre-installed. It concerns smartphones, tablets, computers (up to 10 kg), SMART-ТV.

Anti-virus software, navigators, search engines, programs for access to public services and payment systems can be pre-installed on smartphones and tablets. Similar programs, except payment systems, will be installed on tablets. A possibility must be ensured to install audio-visual service programms on tablets, computers and SMART-ТV, and viewing programs of I and II multiplex complexes”.

He explained that “FAS proposed to, first of all, ensure pre-installment on smartphones in view of the successful experience accumulated upon investigating the case by FAS and settlement with Google. From 1 July 2020, preinstallment shall be mandatory for smartphones, from July 2021 – for tablets, from  1 July 2022 – for computers, and from 1 July 2023 – for SMART-ТV.

“Some participants at the meeting suggested shifting the deadline for an earlier period”, added Deputy Head of FAS.

At the meeting, representatives of FAS and Rospotrebnadzor gave comprehensive explanations regarding the concept of a draft Decree. A final text of the concept will be forwarded to the event participants after some refinement in view of the proposals submitted by the participants.

It is expected that a draft Decree, based on the refined concept, will be forwarded to the Working Group members by the end of January.

“Russian software in broad use, which is of social importance and meets the requirements of equipment safety and consumer data protection, will be pre-installed.

Software will be preinstalled under the civil law, observing the norms of the antimonopoly legislation. The conditions for installing Russian software should not be less favourable as software of the same class from other vendors. It will ensure equal competitive conditions and consumers will get an opportunity to choose”, concluded Anatoly Golomolzin.