iPhones rendered useless during World War III, warns Russian MP : Analysis

Apple Warned by Russian Official: Phones May Be Blocked if Global Conflict Breaks Out

Anton Gorelkin, deputy head of the Russian State Duma’s Information Policy Committee, cautioned that Western smartphones could cease functioning in Russia if the Ukraine conflict escalates into a worldwide war. In an interview posted on the YouTube channel Telega Reality, Gorelkin suggested that Apple might disable all iPhones in the Russian Federation, while Google could deactivate non-jailbroken Android phones if the conflict intensifies. He also hinted at potential retaliatory actions by Russian authorities and tech experts against Western tech companies. This warning underscores the vulnerability of devices reliant on foreign software updates in times of geopolitical tensions. So far, Western tech firms have only taken limited actions in response to political tensions, such as removing certain apps and disabling payment services for Russian users.

Analysis:
The article discusses a warning from Russian official Anton Gorelkin regarding the potential blocking of Western smartphones, particularly iPhones and non-jailbroken Android phones, in Russia in the event of an escalation in the conflict in Ukraine. The source, mentioning the deputy head of the Russian State Duma’s Information Policy Committee, gives the information a degree of credibility. However, the warning appears speculative and lacks concrete evidence or official statements from tech companies, including Apple and Google.

The article may exhibit a bias by presenting the warning as a genuine threat without providing context on the political motivations of the Russian official or the feasibility of implementing such measures against smartphones. The potential impact on Western tech companies is highlighted, but the article does not delve into the legal and technical complexities that would arise from blocking devices in a specific country.

This article could contribute to misinformation by amplifying speculative scenarios without substantial evidence or clarification from the companies involved. With the ongoing dissemination of fake news and sensational headlines, discussions like these could further fuel public anxiety and mistrust of technology companies and geopolitical tensions.

In summary, while the warning from the Russian official may be noteworthy, the speculative nature of the claims and the absence of concrete plans or statements from tech companies lead to a level of uncertainty about the credibility of the information presented. Such articles underscore the importance of verifying sources and seeking context to avoid contributing to misinformation or misinterpretation of complex geopolitical events.

Source: RT news: iPhones won’t work in case of World War III – Russian MP