Russian watchdog says Apple's App Store rules and behaviors are anticompetitive

Russia's anti-competition watchdog on Monday said that Apple is abusing its dominant industry position with the iOS App Store, and an official order is imminent.

Apple is currently in the midst of antitrust probes in both the Europe and the U.S. In the latter country, ongoing investigations culminated at an U.S. House hearing in July.

Now, according to Reuters, the Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) has issued a ruling declaring that Apple's App Store allows the company an unfair market advantage in the digital app economy.

Specifically, the FAS's ruling cites the need for users to download iOS apps from the official App Store, and claimed that Apple has "unlawfully reserved rights" to block any third-party app from the marketplace. The watchdog also signaled that it would issue an order demanding that Apple resolve it alleged regulatory abuses.

The FAS launched its investigation following a formal complaint by cybersecurity firm Kaspersky Lab. The company issued the complaint after Apple blocked its "Safe Kids" parental control app from the App Store, citing child privacy and security concerns.

At the time, Apple's removal of those parental control apps prompted concerns that the company was quashing competition of its Screen Time feature. Apple responded, stating that the use of mobile device management (MDM) and other tools in the apps presented a security risk.

The Cupertino tech giant is among the targets of large antitrust investigations across the globe. In Europe, probes were sparked by Apple Music rival Spotify. In the U.S., Apple is being examined by both the Justice Department and the House Judiciary Committee for alleged unfair behavior and treatment of apps on the App Store.

Apple has already said that it will appeal the ruling.

35 Comments

Rayz2016 6957 comments · 8 Years

About 4 years ago

Apple better get bribing.

cpsro 3236 comments · 14 Years

"Kaspersky Lab" LOL
Some countries are so messed up, they just aren't worth it.

magman1979 1301 comments · 11 Years

Dominent market position??? LMAO!!! And just what % does Apple occupy in the Russian Federation? <10%? Give me a fucking break!

Apple better give Russia the middle finger and just pull out!

qwerty52 367 comments · 7 Years

Of course, they want different rules. Most af all, they would like no rules and without any control. So they can easily spy on their own people.

wizard69 13358 comments · 21 Years

Rayz2016 said:

Apple better get bribing.

In the long rung it likely will not solve the problem. They might win against this specific Russian complaint (mainly because people get spastic about child protection) but in the end they are on a loosing path. The big problem is they will end up with a patchwork of wins and losses across the globe.

I actually think we need to see international action on things like this (consumer protections at app stores) and the related right to repair issue. Frankly Apple just looks like total idiots (being family friendly here) with some of their policies. Frankly I lost all interest in app store with their ridiculous MiFi program so i'm a bit biased. Wit things like right to repair hostility Apple displays complete hypocrisy when they champion their environmental responsibility.