Russian Online Services Announce Ban on Apple and Google Login
The Russian service “Litres” has notified users that, starting April 22, they will no longer be able to log in to the website or app using their Apple or Google ID. This was reported by RBC. According to an email from Litres, “If you do not add alternative login methods, access to your account will only be possible by contacting our support team.” However, if your account is linked to an Apple or Google email address, you can still use that email to log in.
This update is related to changes in the laws “On Information, Information Technologies and Information Protection” and “On Communications.” These laws now require that legal registration methods on Russian websites include logging in with a Russian mobile phone number, through the “Gosuslugi” government portal, the Unified Biometric System, or another information system owned by a Russian citizen or company (such as Russian email services or the social network VKontakte).
Similar notifications have also been sent to users of the VK Play service, according to RBC. Some services, like Ozon, have already disabled the option to log in with Apple or Google ID. A representative from Ozon stated that less than 1% of users used Apple ID to log in, and Ozon never offered Google login. He added that this change is being made to comply with the law:
“More than 99% of our users access their personal accounts through our own Ozon ID service. Here’s how it works: customers enter their phone number and receive a one-time password via call or SMS. This ensures the account is securely protected, as access is only possible with the phone.”
The representative also mentioned that, due to the lack of clear criteria, Ozon removed the option to register new users via Apple or Google from the main screens back in December 2023 to reduce risks for the company. As a result, Ozon no longer exchanges information about new users with these systems, but existing users could still log in with these options. Now, the service is reminding registered users to set up alternative login methods.
VK stated that the company is complying with current legislation but did not specify when authorization via foreign services will be fully disabled or why the update is being implemented in advance.