Apple to appeal $12 million Russian antitrust fine in September

Russia's Federal Antimonopoly Service has agreed to delay an appeal hearing over a $12 million fine, following a request from Apple for more time to prepare.

In August 2020, the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) ruled that Apple's App Store gives Apple an unfair advantage in the digital app economy. As a result, Apple was fined $12 million by the court.

According to Sputnik News, Apple's request to cancel the fine was reviewed by the FAS. No details have been revealed of the FAS's review, but Apple has been informed and consequently requested a delay so it has time to prepare its response.

The Russian appeals court agreed to put off the hearing until September.

The antitrust case and $12 million fine resulted from a complaint by Kaspersky Lab in 2019. The company accused Apple of forcing it to reduce the functionality of its Safe Kids app after Apple introduced a competing product called Screen Time in iOS 12.

"We worked with Kaspersky to get their app in compliance with rules that were put in place to protect children," Apple said when accused by Kaspersky. "They now have 13 apps on the App Store and we have processed hundreds of updates for them."

Apple's battle with antitrust is ongoing, and could lead to regulators attempting to control various aspects of Apple's business. Russia has previously introduced legislation that would limit Apple's App Store commission to 20% and enable alternate app stores.

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