Yandex’s AI assistant could gain expanded permissions on mobile devices, including access to banking apps
Russia’s Digital Development Ministry is weighing new rules for preinstalling Russian services on smartphones, tablets, and other devices, a move that could give Alice AI, the assistant developed by Yandex, expanded permissions on users’ devices.
The Russian Digital Development Ministry is considering new regulations that would allow preinstalling Russian services, including Yandex's AI assistant, on mobile devices with expanded permissions. This could grant the assistant access to sensitive data, such as banking apps, which are currently beyond the reach of preinstalled apps.
The proposed changes are part of an effort to regulate and control foreign AI models operating in Russia. The Digital Development Ministry has published a draft resolution for public discussion, but has since pulled it from its website for revisions. The ministry is currently in discussion with the industry regarding these proposed changes.
Yandex's AI assistant, Alice AI, is on the government's list of mandatory preinstalled apps for 2027. Russia has been mandating the preinstallation of Russian software on various electronic devices since 2021.
Written by urgent.news from Meduza (English)'s reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
