Russian antitrust agency raises concerns to Apple about payment limitations.

On Thursday, Russia’s antitrust agency reached out to Apple, seeking clarification regarding the limited access Russian users have to banking and payment services on Apple devices. Apple has yet to respond to the inquiry, citing non-business hours in the U.S.

Russia’s Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) has imposed fines totaling around $26 million on Apple over the past two years for what it deems as the tech giant’s exploitation of its dominant position in the mobile apps market and in-app payments. Despite previous disagreements, Apple has faced criticism from FAS regarding its distribution of apps exclusively through the iOS operating system, which allegedly favors its own products.

The FAS highlighted that most Russian banks have been excluded from the App Store, and Apple’s restrictions prevent users from installing apps from sources other than the App Store, hindering the functionality of Russian banks and contactless services. The agency stated that Apple’s actions may violate antimonopoly legislation and has requested a detailed response from the company.

Notably, Apple recently announced concessions in Europe to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), allowing developers to distribute apps directly to consumers. However, these changes do not directly address the concerns raised by the Russian antitrust agency.