A serious scandal has erupted around the voice assistant "Alisa AI." The cause was an initiative by the Ministry of Digital Development that would expand the rights of AI assistants on Russian devices. Behind the scenes, talk emerged that "Alisa" could gain exclusive access to banking apps and other sensitive data. However, Yandex was quick to set the record straight, stating that the assistant would not receive any "carte blanche."
Yandex's Official Position
Boris Ryutin, who oversees the security of "Alisa AI" and autonomous vehicles at the company, stated outright that the assistant's capabilities on mobile devices are always strictly limited by the operating system's security mechanisms. According to him, "Alisa" can only access data and functions for which the user has given explicit consent. There is no talk of any "unlimited access" to banking apps or other confidential information.
Ryutin emphasized that the device owner always chooses which assistant to use—domestic or foreign. This is a fundamental right available to everyone. Moreover, in his assessment, "Alisa AI" does not receive any additional capabilities and has no advantages over foreign models, remaining just a standard assistant.
The Essence of the Legislative Initiative
The discussion revolved around refining the rules for pre-installing domestic software on devices imported into Russia. This concerns smartphones, tablets, and smart speakers. The draft regulation governing this had already appeared on the regulatory acts portal in early August 2026, but was then suddenly withdrawn for revision.
In the original version of the document, as reported, "Alisa AI" could have received expanded rights on par with other system applications. This raised concerns among experts, who saw a risk of Yandex monopolizing the market. After all, simultaneous pre-installation and potential expansion of rights could place "Alisa" in a unique position among all applications on the device.
What This Means for the Market
It is telling that Yandex is forced to publicly deny its own potential privileges. This speaks to how sensitive the topic is. On one hand, the state seeks to restrict foreign AI assistants; on the other, the market fears the creation of a new monopolist. In the end, we see a classic story: the regulator wants control, while business wants transparent rules of the game that give no one an unfair advantage.
My view: The very framing of the question about AI access to banking data is an alarming signal for the entire industry. Even if "Alisa" does not receive expanded rights now, the mere precedent of discussing such powers creates a dangerous zone of uncertainty. In a world where data is the new oil, any hint of a major player gaining exclusive access to financial information should draw close scrutiny from regulators and the public. Otherwise, we risk getting not technological progress, but a new tool of total control.