Electronics sold in Russia must soon have software that supports "Russian spiritual and moral values"

How Russian can a smartphone get? We’ll soon find out after a new government resolution in Russia goes into effect.

The resolution, which was spotted by Reuters, states that software pre-installed on devices sold in Russia must support the “formation of the priority of traditional Russian spiritual and moral values.” This resolution is a followup to legislation signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin last year that mandates all smartphones, computers, and smart TVs sold in Russian carry pre-installed software from Russian companies.

The Federal Anti-Monopoly Service of Russia drafted the resolution to answer questions about the actual software that is to be pre-installed on electronic devices. In addition to fostering traditional Russian values, the software must be both “popular and secure,” according to Reuters.

While this resolution was written to give clarity, the Anti-Monopoly Service did not explicitly clarify what “traditional Russian spiritual and moral values” actually are. As such, there is still little guidance as to what software should come on devices sold in Russia.

What is known is that software must first be submitted to the Russian government for review. Should the program be approved, it could be pre-installed on smartphones, computers, and other smart devices in March.

The resolution is another step in Vladimir Putin’s apparent crackdown on personal technology in Russia. In recent years, the Russian government has censored some search engine results and required social networks to share security tools and user data with some official organizations.

What do you think of Russia’s move to force devices sold within the country to carry software that supports Russian values? Let us know in the comments.