Apple and Microsoft have been added to a Russian government register covering digital communication providers, bringing their services under data retention and disclosure requirements. The rules allow Russian security agencies to request customer communications, including correspondence, voice recordings and video exchanges.
Russia’s communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, added the companies to the register on October 2, 2026, according to Bloomberg. Covered providers must keep user details and records of how communications pass through their systems for three years, with the data stored inside Russia.
Companies that fail to comply could face financial penalties. Repeated violations may lead to restrictions or bans on their services in the country. Apple and Microsoft join providers including Google Meet, WhatsApp, Telegram, Snapchat, Cloudflare and Blizzard Entertainment on the register.
The new obligations come amid broader Russian restrictions on foreign communication platforms. Authorities have limited access to WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal and Apple’s FaceTime, services used for messaging, voice calls and video communication.
Apple has also faced several other regulatory disputes in Russia. In April 2026, customers lost the ability to buy new App Store content or renew subscriptions unless they had enough funds in their Apple Accounts. In June, Russian authorities sought an explanation after Apple removed applications developed by state-controlled technology company VK, as well as banking apps linked to institutions under international sanctions.
In August 2026, Russia’s antitrust regulator opened proceedings against Apple over its failure to preinstall the government-backed MAX messaging service and RuStore app marketplace.
Neither Apple nor Microsoft had publicly said how it would respond to the latest requirements or whether the register would affect its services or commercial activities in Russia.
Sources: TechRadar.