Russia’s Federal Antimonopoly Service issued a warning to Apple. The agency believes that the company “is abusing its dominant position in the distribution market for iOS apps.”
The agency received statements from users that sometimes it is cheaper to make a purchase from the seller’s website than from the Apple store. FAS attributes this to the commission of 15% to 30% from each payment in the App Store.
FAS took issue with the App Store Review Guidelines, clause 3.1, which says “Apps and their metadata may not include buttons, external links, or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms other than in-app purchase.”
Apple does not allow apps and games in the App Store that inform users about independent payment methods. The company requires developers to remove links or change the functionality of the apps so that the registration form does not lead to external sites. In doing so, according to Russia’s FAS, Apple restricts developers in their choices, “which negatively affects competition and may lead to an increase in prices.”
Apple is to correct the violation no later than September 30, 2021.