Russia's Anti-Monopoly Watchdog Says Apple Abused Dominant App Store Position

Apple is facing App Store scrutiny in Russia as the Russian Federal Anti-Monopoly Service (FAS) today said (via Interfax) that Apple abused its dominant ‌App Store‌ position and limited competition in the iOS app market by banning parental control apps.

appstore
The FAS began investigating Apple's ‌App Store‌ policies back in August 2019 after Apple cracked down on parental control apps using Mobile Device Management functionality.

Cybersecurity company Kaspersky Lab lodged an antitrust complaint with the FAS after Apple pulled the Kaspersky Safe Kids app from the ‌App Store‌. Kaspersky Safe Kids had, at the time, been in the ‌App Store‌ for three years before Apple said that it was no longer allowed to use configuration profiles.

According to the Russian Federal Anti-Monopoly Service, since 2018, Apple has limited "instruments and opportunities for the development of parental control apps," leading to the loss of functionality in third-party apps.

The FAS also pointed out that the removal of the parental control apps coincided with the launch of the Screen Time feature, and that Apple is able to block any third-party app even if the app meets Apple's specifications.

"Apple occupies a dominant position with a 100% share of the market for mobile apps based on the iOS operating system because it is only legally possible to install such apps from the ‌App Store‌," said the FAS.

The FAS plans to order Apple to address the regulatory violations. In response, Apple said that it respects the FAS but disagrees with the decision and will appeal the ruling.

Apple is also facing an antitrust investigation in the United States, with Apple CEO Tim Cook recently testifying in front of the U.S. House Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee, where he was grilled on Apple's App Store policies.

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Top Rated Comments

Trik Avatar
64 months ago
Someone should evaluate Putin's monopoly on being the President of Russia...
Score: 37 Votes (Like | Disagree)
PieTunes Avatar
64 months ago
“Russia” and “anti monopoly” in the same sentence? That’s rich.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
whyamihere Avatar
64 months ago

Apple occupies a dominant position with a 100% share of the market for mobile apps based on the iOS operating system
Yep, and Walmart has a 100% share of the market for items sold in Walmart. Let's get 'em!
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
64 months ago
Apple is in so much trouble!!!
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Art Mark Avatar
64 months ago
Yeah... Russia would seem to know all about monopolies. Since their entire judicial system is a farce and one party/one man rule is the name of the game there. Consumers who buy at Walmart also have to buy what Walmart offers. Is that the same kind of monopoly? There's this giant selling phone platform (largest in the world I hear) called Android and you, like most people in the world, can buy from there just as a Walmart shopper can shop at Food Co. if you are unhappy with what Walmart offers.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Cesar Battistini Avatar
64 months ago
That is what makes the iPhone the iPhone.

If you want a **** show with 5 stores, no consistent updates or security checks. BUY an ANDROID.

I can't.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)