Yandex's AI Assistant May Gain Expanded Permissions on Mobile Devices

Russia's Digital Development Ministry is considering new rules for preinstalling Russian services on smartphones, tablets, and other devices. This move could grant Yandex's AI assistant, Alice, expanded permissions, including access to banking apps and other sensitive data. The proposed changes aim to target similar foreign smart assistants and AI models operating in Russia. The Digital Development Ministry has published a draft resolution for public discussion, but the document has been pulled from its website for revision. Yandex has not commented on the matter. The proposed changes are at the discussion stage with the industry, according to the ministry. Russia has required the preinstallation of Russian software on devices since 2021, and Alice AI is set to be a mandatory preinstalled app for 2027.