Russia‘s antitrust agency has said that it has written to Apple, seeking an explanation from the US tech giant on why Apple devices users in the country do not have access to full functionality of banking and payment services.
According to a report by news agency Reuters, the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) said that the apps of most Russian banks have been removed from the App Store and that Apple was not letting users install apps from anywhere but the App Store.This, the agency said, is making it impossible for Russian banks and contactless services to function.
“The company’s actions contain signs of violation of antimonopoly legislation. The service sent a letter to the company about the need to submit a detailed, motivated position on this issue to the agency,” the Russian agency said.
Notably, Apple doesn’t have control over this ‘problem’ because since the Russia-Ukraine war broke out, the US, the UK and European Union have placed sanctions against entities in Russia, including major banks. Apple had to remove the apps to comply with international laws.
Russia fined Apple $26 million
Russia’s FAS has fined Apple around $26 million in the last two years alleging Apple’s abuse of its dominant position concerning the mobile apps market and in-app payments.
Apple has previously “respectfully disagreed” with a FAS ruling that Apple’s distribution of apps through its iOS operating system gave its own products a competitive advantage.
Last month, Apple opened its App Store on iPhones and other devices in Europe, allowing developers to distribute their apps directly to consumers. The company brought these changes to comply with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).
According to a report by news agency Reuters, the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) said that the apps of most Russian banks have been removed from the App Store and that Apple was not letting users install apps from anywhere but the App Store.This, the agency said, is making it impossible for Russian banks and contactless services to function.
“The company’s actions contain signs of violation of antimonopoly legislation. The service sent a letter to the company about the need to submit a detailed, motivated position on this issue to the agency,” the Russian agency said.
Notably, Apple doesn’t have control over this ‘problem’ because since the Russia-Ukraine war broke out, the US, the UK and European Union have placed sanctions against entities in Russia, including major banks. Apple had to remove the apps to comply with international laws.
Russia fined Apple $26 million
Russia’s FAS has fined Apple around $26 million in the last two years alleging Apple’s abuse of its dominant position concerning the mobile apps market and in-app payments.
Apple has previously “respectfully disagreed” with a FAS ruling that Apple’s distribution of apps through its iOS operating system gave its own products a competitive advantage.
Last month, Apple opened its App Store on iPhones and other devices in Europe, allowing developers to distribute their apps directly to consumers. The company brought these changes to comply with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).