OREANDA-NEWS. The ability to use the Russian search engine by default will be provided from July 1, which search engine will be - will be determined by the Cabinet. This was reported to RIA Novosti in the press service of the RF Ministry of Finance.

The ministry's website says: "From July 1, 2021, users will be provided with the opportunity to use the Russian search engine by default. The procedure for determining the search engine will be established by a government decree."

The ministry noted that the categories of devices on which programs must be pre-installed (smartphones, smart TV, computers and laptops) are indicated in the corresponding decree of the Cabinet, it is not planned to change or supplement the existing categories.

"Pre-installation of software is part of a strategy aimed at import substitution and development of Russian digital products. The innovation will create more balanced conditions for competition between domestic developments and foreign services," the department added.

In December 2020, a law was adopted according to which, starting from April 1, 2021, it is prohibited to sell certain types of technically complex goods in Russia without pre-installing Russian software prescribed by the government. In early January, the Russian government approved a list of Russian programs for pre-installation on smartphones, computers and smart TVs sold in Russia from April 1, 2021. Among them are popular search engines, Internet browsers, postal services, social networks, anti-virus software, online cinemas and other types of software.