Russia Threatens Apple With $52M Fine Over App Bias Claims
Moscow's anti-monopoly regulator says Apple must pre-install Russian apps or face a $52M penalty by July 15.
Russia is turning up the heat on Apple, and the bill could reach $52 million if the tech giant doesn't play along. The country's Federal Antimonopoly Service — think of it as Russia's version of the FTC — has warned Apple that it needs to stop what regulators are calling discriminatory behavior against homegrown Russian software.
Specifically, the agency wants Apple to pre-install Russian search engines and a messaging app called Max directly onto iPhones sold in the country. Right now, those apps apparently aren't getting the same red-carpet treatment as default options, and Moscow isn't happy about it. Pre-installation is a big deal in tech — if your app is already on someone's phone out of the box, you've got a massive leg up on the competition.
Read more Lumine Group Expands Media Tech Footprint With Imagine Communications Deal →
Apple has until July 15 to fix things or risk a fine of up to 4 billion roubles, which works out to roughly $51.6 million at current exchange rates. That's not exactly pocket change, though for a company with Apple's revenue it's more of a slap on the wrist than an existential threat. Still, it signals that Russia is serious about pushing back against foreign tech platforms that dominate its digital landscape.
This isn't the first time a government has squared off with Apple over what gets pre-loaded on devices — the EU has had similar battles over browser and search engine defaults. But Russia's approach adds a geopolitical layer that makes it a little different from standard antitrust skirmishes. Whether Apple complies, challenges the ruling, or simply absorbs the fine remains to be seen.
Continue reading at Yahoo
