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Russia’s Antitrust Agency Pressures Apple Over Banking and Payment Access

By  |  April 4, 2024

Russia’s Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) has escalated its confrontation with Apple by demanding answers regarding limited access to banking and payment services for Russian users of Apple devices.

According to Reuters, the move follows fines totaling around $26 million imposed on Apple by the FAS over the past two years for alleged abuses of its market dominance.

The FAS alleges that Apple’s actions, including the removal of most Russian banks from the App Store and restrictions on installing apps from sources other than the App Store, hinder the functionality of banking and payment services for Russian users. The agency has issued a formal inquiry demanding Apple to provide a detailed explanation for its policies.

Read more: Apple Refutes DOJ’s Antitrust Allegations, Calls Lawsuit Misleading

Apple’s response is pending, as the company did not comment immediately. However, Apple has previously contested FAS rulings on similar matters.

This development adds to Apple’s regulatory challenges globally, especially regarding its App Store policies.

Source: Reuters