The Federal Antimonopoly Service of Russia has issued a formal order to Apple Inc. regarding the terms it imposes on iOS app developers. The decision marks a clear finding that certain practices breach competition rules. In its formal communications, the antitrust authority asserts that Apple must change its behavior within a maximum of 60 calendar days from receiving the order to comply with the country’s anti-competition statute. The core of the directive refers to the App Store Review Guidelines, specifically clause 3.1, which the agency argues enforces a set of adverse contractual terms on developers by pressuring them to accept conditions tied to distributions and revenue practices that restrict how developers can monetize their apps and pitches to users outside the platform.
The central complaint presented by the agency centers on iOS developers being restricted from steering users toward in-app purchases outside the iOS environment. This restriction, the FAS argues, creates a competitive disadvantage for developers who wish to offer alternatives or supplementary payment paths. The dilemma is intensified by the fact that iOS developers have limited distribution options beyond the App Store; a developer can be denied entry for breaching the agreements, effectively giving Apple control over which apps reach users and under what terms they can operate. This scenario raises questions about market access, platform power, and the balance of incentives between platform operators and independent software creators.
In a separate development, information from July indicates that Moroccan authorities criticized Apple for antitrust concerns related to its activities in Russia. The company now faces a potential turnover penalty, the amount of which has yet to be determined as the regulatory review proceeds. The evolving landscape shows a pattern of intensified scrutiny from regulators in multiple regions as digital platforms increasingly confront questions about fair play, merchant terms, and the boundaries of platform governance. Across these jurisdictions, Apple faces ongoing oversight aimed at ensuring that app developers can compete on a level playing field while still operating within clearly defined guidelines that govern app distribution and monetization strategies.