An antitrust case has been launched against the US tech giant Apple for failing to provide alternative payment methods in its App Store, something the Russian regulator demanded along with its request to “stop abuse in the market” which Apple didn’t complied with, Russian media report.
After issuing a warning in August over the issue and giving the US company a September 30 deadline to resolve it, Russia’s Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) said on Wednesday that Apple has failed to allow app developers to tell customers about alternative payment options when using its App Store platform.
Without indicating the size of the potential fine, FAS said that if found guilty of the breach, Apple could face a fine calculated based on its revenue in Russia.
FAC acted on the complaints filed by iOS devices’ users and developers that due to the commission between 15% and 30% that Apple takes from each payment on AppStore , it’s sometimes cheaper to buy a product on the seller’s website rather than on Apple’s platform.
On top of that, Apple prohibits the apps developers from informing users about alternative payment methods and offer links to the developer’s site, service and registration form.
A US federal judge issued a ruling last month forcing Apple to allow developers by Dec. 9 to send their users to other payment systems, but iPhone maker hopes court will introduce a stay on that order while appeal works through system.
Apple said in a filing in federal court in Oakland, California that it’s seeking to enhance information flow while protecting both the App Store’s efficient functioning and the Apple’s customers’ security and privacy, stressing that in these circumstances a stay is warranted.
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