The Russian authorities forced Apple to pay a huge fine for allegedly exploiting its dominant position in the market. The fine, approaching a billion rubles, was paid despite the Americans’ disagreement with the decision.
The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) of Russia fined Apple 906 million rubles, or more than $12 million. The American company paid the fine, but claims that “with all due respect” it does not agree with the decision of the national authorities.
Apple paid Russia millions - this is an antitrust fine
According to Reuters, the FAS decision concerns antitrust practices that should have taken place in the iOS application distribution system. According to the regulator, Apple should have used its dominant position in the mobile app market for prohibited business practices, including to promote its own products over competing ones.
The case was initiated by a message from the Russian company Kaspersky Lab, which called for intervention after Apple banned the distribution of a new version of the Kaspersky Safe Kids app in the iOS ecosystem. The first decision of the Federal Antimonopoly Service was made in mid-2020, and the American company consistently used all stages of the appeal.
Apple pays fines in Russia, although it has frozen operations in the country
As journalists recall, in January 2023, in a completely different case, the Federal Antimonopoly Service fined Apple $17.4 million. This time, the main charge was forcing Russian developers to use Apple Pay, the American company’s payment service, for payments in the iOS App Store.
At the same time, since the Russian attack on the territory of Ukraine, Apple has completely stopped selling products on the territory of the aggressor and limited the operation of Apple Pay in the country.
Source: Wprost
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