FAS Investigates Apple's Antitrust Violations in Russia

Russia's antitrust regulator has initiated an investigation into Apple, alleging the removal of banking and payment apps from its App Store. The Federal Antimonopoly Service has expressed concerns about restrictions that prevent Russian banks from offering services and limit users from installing apps from outside the store. These actions are viewed as potential violations of anti-monopoly laws, prompting the regulator to demand a detailed explanation from Apple.

Russia's Antitrust Regulator Targets Apple for App Store Restrictions on Russian Banks

Moscow - Russia's Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) has launched an investigation into Apple over concerns that the tech giant may have violated anti-monopoly laws by removing banking and payment apps from its App Store, potentially harming Russian banks and consumers.

FAS has sent a letter to Apple expressing its concerns about the restrictions, which it says prevent Russian banks from offering services through their apps. The move has not only resulted in the removal of apps from the App Store but also prevents users from installing these apps from outside the store.

The agency has highlighted "signs of violation of anti-monopoly laws" and has requested a "detailed, reasoned statement on this issue" from Apple. This action comes amidst a broader scrutiny of Apple's App Store practices by regulators worldwide.

In a related development, the United States filed a lawsuit against Apple last month, alleging that the company has monopolized the smartphone market through various measures, including blocking third-party apps that offer contactless payments. Earlier this year, Apple attempted to mitigate antitrust charges from the European Commission by offering third parties access to the NFC chip technology in iOS devices.

FAS's investigation into Apple's App Store restrictions marks a significant step towards protecting Russian consumers and promoting competition in the digital marketplace. The outcome of the investigation could set a precedent for future antitrust actions against dominant technology companies and ensure that consumers have access to a wide range of services and applications.

The investigation underscores the increasing focus on anti-competitive practices by Big Tech companies, particularly those that control app distribution platforms. FAS's actions serve as a warning to technology giants that they will be held accountable for any abuses of their market power that harm consumers or stifle innovation.