Russia to ban non-Russian software from government use

Blow to American and European CAD vendors

 

As of 1 January, 2016 national and local Russian government offices are banned from using non-Russian software, when a local version exists. Minimum local ownership is 50%. An agency will create a list of acceptable programs.

Russia has a healthy CAD industry, with ready replacements for MCAD, plant design, and AutoCAD; not quite so robust are BIM systems. Foreign software companies last year sold US$1.4 billion sales to Russia, of which $300 million was to Russian government agencies.

Russia Today explains the reason for the blockage:

While the latest [Russian prime minister] Medvedev’s order can be seen as supporting domestic software producers, Russian politicians and officials have often pointed out the dangers of surveillance and data leaks that come with the use of foreign computer programs in state bodies and government-owned companies.

Moscow Times adds:

As Communications and Mass Media Minister Nikolai Nikiforov put it a year ago: "We stand for complete sovereignty of information."

Not surprisingly, a few other countries are attempting the same, most notably China. The Association of European Businesses warned darkly that non-Russian software firms would freeze investment or pull out of Russia. Well, I kind of doubt it, as 80% of their sales were to non-goverment firms.

Sources:

• Russia Today https://www.rt.com/politics/322836-medvedev-bans-foreign-made-software/
• Moscow Times http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/russia-restricts-use-of-foreign-software-in-battle-for-information-sovereignty/550106.html

 

 

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[Kevin De Smet]

Like what do they have to hide, World War 3? Get out!