FAS RUSSIA INITIATED LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AGAINST APPLE

On August 30, 2021, FAS Russia issued a warning to Apple requesting it to cease its conduct contrary to Russian antimonopoly legislation. The agency found that clause 3.1 of the App Store Guidelines prohibits iOS app developers from informing in-app users about the possibility to pay for their purchases outside the App Store. 

Apple requires iOS app developers to remove the links to other Internet resources and to change the functionality of the applications so that the registration form does not lead to external websites. Otherwise, the application is not eligible for the App Store. 

FAS Russia concluded that Apple is abusing its dominant position on the market for the distribution of apps through its App Store. The agency issued a warning to Apple requesting it to terminate abusive conduct before September 30, 2021. 

Apple did not comply with the warning. Consequently, FAS Russia initiated legal proceedings against Apple concerning its violation of antimonopoly legislation. In the event Apple is found to infringe the Law on Protection of Competition, it could face a fine based on its turnover on the relevant market.

*Appearance of violation of paragraph 3, part 1, article 10 of the Law on Protection of Competition
**In accordance with part 2 article 14.31 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Russian Federation