I mean, can Microsoft, Google, and Apple reasonably just say "Uhh, no" and keep shipping products without these applications installed? Does that then put the burden on Russian retailers to open/tamper with the devices themselves before resale?
How can Russia reasonably force foreign manufacturers to comply with this? Are they in a position to say "No more importing Microsoft PC's!" Are they going to then require the use of a Russian linux distro? It would seem to me that our manufacturers are in the perfect position to band together and inform oppressive regimes that it's time to either design their own prison-stack or stop placing demands on companies based in free, democratic nations.
What if I am a Russian linux user? Will the government come to my house and inspect my system to ensure it is running the required level of spyware?
Usually hardware makers like Google and Apple have different sets of software (and hardware) for the different regions they sell to.
For example, why include a GLONASS chip if your users are in China, where BDS is the GPS system of choice?
https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-50573069
https://www.investopedia.com/articles/economics/10/economic-...
https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Pages/def...
Additionally, OEM’s already ship custom versions of Windows computers for the EU so, what’s the difference?
> SORM (Russian: Система оперативно-разыскных мероприятий, lit. 'System for Operative Investigative Activities') is the technical specification for lawful interception interfaces of telecommunications and telephone networks operating in Russia. The current form of the specification enables the targeted surveillance of both telephone and Internet communications. Initially implemented in 1995 to allow access to surveillance data for the FSB, in subsequent years the access has been widened to other law enforcement agencies."