Russia to limit foreign software use in critical sectors

Moscow moves to reduce reliance on Western technology

Government agencies, state-owned companies, and critical infrastructure operators will be required to prioritize domestic software

Russia is planning to limit the use of foreign software in critical sectors, as part of a broader effort to reduce the country's reliance on Western technology. The move comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions between Russia and the West, which have led to concerns that Russia could be vulnerable to cyberattacks or other disruptions to its critical infrastructure.

According to a draft decree published by the Russian government, government agencies, state-owned companies, and critical infrastructure operators will be required to prioritize the use of domestic software in their operations. The decree applies to a wide range of software, including operating systems, office suites, and specialized applications. Exceptions will be made for software that is not available from domestic sources or that is necessary for the operation of critical systems.

The move is part of a broader effort by Russia to reduce its reliance on Western technology. In recent years, the Russian government has taken steps to promote the development of domestic software and hardware, and has encouraged the use of open-source software. The government has also invested in the development of a national operating system, known as Aurora OS, which is based on the Linux kernel.