Russia plans to levy fines against Apple for allegedly using the App Store in an uncompetitive way.
This is the second time Russia has accused the iPhone-maker of breaking its laws in recent weeks.
Apple fined by Russian antitrust regulators
The App Store is an important part of using an iPhone, as it’s the only source for third-party software. Apple says the limitation ensures that all iOS apps are safe.
But Russia’s Federal Antimonopoly Service says the App Store is anticompetitive.
“Russia’s competition authority said on Tuesday it would fine U.S. tech giant Apple for violating Russian antitrust laws and abusing its dominant position in the app store market,” reports Reuters. The size of the fine has not yet been determined.
Earlier in June, a Russian court fined Apple for not storing information about Russian citizens within the country.
App Store not without controversy
It’s easy to see the Russian fines as punishment for Apple withdrawing from the country in the wake of the Ukraine invasion. But plenty of other countries are investigating concerns with the App Store.
The European Union is moving toward passing a law that will force Apple to allow rival app stores and sideloaded applications, for example. And the EU’s Digital Markets Act will require other changes, including allowing app developers to advertise directly to consumers.
That’s one of the issues that the Russian regulators called out, too. “Apple prohibits iOS app developers from telling clients inside the app about the possibility of paying for purchases outside the App Store or using alternative payment methods,” the FAS said in a stagnant, according to Reuters.
The EU act is more likely to bring changes to the App Store than Russian fines.
