Apple is once again facing regulatory pressure in Russia. The country’s Federal Antimonopoly Service has warned the tech giant that it could face a fine of nearly $52 million for allegedly discriminating against Russian software and refusing to preinstall state-approved applications on its devices.
The latest dispute centers on apps developed by Russian technology company VK and a state-backed messaging platform called Max. Russian authorities want these services, along with domestic search engines, pre-installed on iPhones and iPads sold in the country.
Tensions Escalated After App Removals
The conflict intensified in late June when the Kremlin demanded an explanation for the removal of several VK applications from Apple’s App Store. Officials accused Apple of taking down the apps without warning and suggested that cooperation between Russia and Apple could end entirely if the issue remains unresolved.
Russia has given Apple until July 15 to comply with its demands. If the company fails to do so, authorities say they will impose the proposed fine.
Apple No Longer Operates in Russia
Although the threat is significant, analysts believe Apple is unlikely to change its policies. The company suspended product sales in Russia in March 2022 following the country’s invasion of Ukraine. Today, Apple has no authorized resellers in Russia, and its devices enter the market through unofficial channels.
Despite ending hardware sales, Apple still operates its App Store in Russia and has occasionally complied with government requests. In recent years, the company removed VPN services and independent media applications that Russian authorities labeled as undesirable.
A Complicated Relationship
This is not Apple’s first legal battle in Russia. In February 2023, the company paid a $12.12 million antitrust fine related to its in-app payment system. Meanwhile, political tensions have continued to strain relations between Apple and Russian officials.
Russia has previously accused Apple of assisting U.S. intelligence agencies, while Apple has warned Russian journalists about state-sponsored spyware attacks. These disputes highlight the growing divide between the company and the Russian government.
For now, industry observers expect Apple to continue removing specific apps when required but stop short of creating Russia-specific iPhones with preinstalled state software. As a result, the proposed $52 million fine could become another chapter in the increasingly tense relationship between Apple and Russia.
