Russian authorities have launched a formal antitrust investigation into Apple, accusing the technology giant of failing to fully comply with legal requirements designed to promote domestic software and services on its iOS devices.
Russia’s Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) announced on Monday that it had opened the case after concluding that Apple only partially addressed an earlier regulatory warning aimed at ending what the agency considers discriminatory practices affecting Russian search engines and locally developed applications.
Regulators Say Key Requirements Were Ignored
According to the FAS, Apple did not fully implement the changes requested after receiving a warning earlier this summer.
While the company reportedly introduced some adjustments, regulators argue that several important obligations remain unmet.
Among the unresolved issues is the ability for users to pre-install Russia’s state-backed messaging platform, Max, as well as a Russian-developed app marketplace on iPhones, iPads, and other devices running iOS.
The regulator maintains that these features are required under Russian law to ensure domestic digital services receive equal treatment alongside international platforms.
Software Update Addressed Only Part of the Concerns
The antitrust agency acknowledged that Apple had informed officials about a software update released on July 27.
According to the company, the update now allows users to pre-install a Russian search engine on supported devices.
However, the FAS believes that this change alone does not satisfy all of the obligations outlined in its earlier directive, leading regulators to proceed with a formal investigation.
Potential Financial Penalties for Apple
If investigators determine that Apple violated Russian competition laws, the company could face administrative penalties under the country’s Code of Administrative Offenses.
The FAS noted that its decision is based on Russia’s Competition Protection Law and follows previous enforcement actions against Apple that were upheld by Russian courts.
Earlier this year, the regulator warned that continued non-compliance could result in significant financial sanctions, with fines reaching as much as 4 billion rubles.
Initial Warning Followed Missed Compliance Deadline
The dispute began in early July when the FAS concluded that Apple had failed to meet legal requirements governing the availability of Russian software on iOS devices.
Authorities instructed the company to make domestic applications—including the Max messaging platform and a Russian app store—available for installation.
Apple was given until July 15 to comply, with regulators warning that failure to meet the deadline could trigger formal legal proceedings.
Russia Cites International Concerns Over Apple’s Practices
The FAS also pointed to what it described as growing international scrutiny of Apple’s business practices.
According to the regulator, competition authorities in several countries, including members of the BRICS group, are examining complaints from consumers and software developers who allege that Apple’s ecosystem disadvantages competing applications and services.
Russian Law Requires Support for Domestic Search Services
Under Russian legislation, technically complex electronic devices sold within the country must provide support for a Russian search engine—or one from another member state of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)—as the default search option.
Russian authorities argue that these measures are intended to ensure local digital platforms can compete fairly in the mobile software market, while Apple’s compliance with those rules will now be examined through the newly opened antitrust case.
