The Russian Council of Ministers has lifted the temporary prohibition on antitrust audits of information technology companies after a wave of complaints about digital market practices. This update was officially confirmed by the press center of the Federal Antimonopoly Service, known as FAS. According to the release, the government decision removes the temporary moratorium on antitrust inspections of IT firms, enabling closer scrutiny where concerns about market power and potential abuses have been raised.
The government states that resuming antimonopoly oversight will help protect the rights of both individuals and business owners. It is intended to curb the misuse of dominant positions by technology companies and to foster healthier competition within the IT sector. The document implementing this change is set to take effect on March 28 of the current year.
Earlier, FAS Russia reported that the mobile operator Megafon violated antitrust laws through an unreasonable tariff increase. This enforcement action underscores the ongoing focus on fair pricing practices within the telecommunications and digital services space in Russia. The broader policy narrative has centered on strengthening antitrust rules for IT players to ensure competitive market conditions.
Industry experts have long called for tighter antimonopoly regulation of IT companies in the Russian market. The current move signals a shift toward more active enforcement while maintaining a framework that can adapt to rapid digital developments. The Canadian and American audiences may recognize parallels with similar regulatory aims aimed at preventing monopolistic conduct and promoting competition in high technology sectors. Attribution: Federal Antimonopoly Service of Russia and official government communications.