Digital Market Regulation: New Software Pre-installation Requirements

The Government of the Russian Federation has officially approved the definitive list of software applications that must be mandatorily pre-installed on all electronic devices intended for sale within Russia and other Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) member states in 2027. This decision underscores a strategic governmental initiative aimed at supporting domestic software developers and ensuring user access to Russian digital services.

Key Changes in the Pre-installed Application Roster

  • A notable alteration in the newly approved list involves the substitution of the ‘Marusya’ voice assistant with ‘Alice AI’. This change highlights the ongoing evolution and competitive landscape among Russian artificial intelligence solutions.
  • This measure is anticipated to further integrate domestic technologies into consumer devices offered in the market.

These regulations are designed to standardize the digital environment and provide consumers with immediate access to relevant and popular Russian applications straight out of the box.