The Russian antitrust authorities have disclosed that Apple, the American tech giant, faced a significant financial penalty tied to a high-profile dispute over the distribution of iOS apps. According to information released by the Federal Antimonopoly Service of the Russian Federation, Apple was ordered to pay 906 million rubles as part of an enforcement action centered on claims that the company abused its dominant position in the market for distributing iOS applications. The update came via a source familiar with the matter, cited by TASS. [TASS, source familiar with event]
According to the same source, the fine represented a decisive enforcement step, with a warning that the amount could have doubled if payment had been delayed. This escalation underscores the regulator’s willingness to impose meaningful penalties to enforce competition rules and curb anti-competitive behavior in digital marketplaces. [Agency source]
Earlier reporting from RT indicated that the total fines could reach up to 1.2 billion rubles, citing concerns about Apple requiring the use of a specific payment system for transactions involving Russian developers. The evolving narrative highlights ongoing regulatory scrutiny over how major platforms manage payments and app distribution within Russia. [RT report]
In related developments, Kaspersky Lab reportedly raised concerns about Apple’s practices. The two parties had previously collaborated to ensure that a parental-control application from Kaspersky Lab complied with the child-protection criteria set by the App Store. The company’s communications office noted that there are currently 13 Kaspersky Lab apps available in the App Store. This collaboration illustrates how developers and platform owners navigate policy requirements in a tightly regulated app ecosystem. [Company press statement]