Overview
- Russia’s Federal Antimonopoly Service has formally warned Apple it may levy a fine up to 4 billion rubles, roughly $51.6–$52 million, if the company does not address alleged discrimination by the July 15 deadline.
- The regulator says Apple must make Russian services more prominent at device setup, citing demands to preinstall apps such as VK-linked software, the state-backed Max messenger and the RuStore marketplace, and to offer a Russian search engine as the default.
- The dispute intensified after Apple removed several apps tied to VK in late June, prompting complaints from the Kremlin and the Ministry of Digital Transformation that the deletions were politically motivated.
- Apple stopped official iPhone and iPad sales in Russia in March 2022 but still operates the App Store there, and devices now enter the market through third-party imports from places like Kazakhstan, Dubai and Hong Kong.
- Industry analysts expect Apple to keep using targeted app removals and limited compliance rather than produce Russia-specific hardware, and the regulator’s move could shape future rules on default apps and national digital sovereignty in other markets.