According to a report from the RIA news agency, a Russian court has turned down Apple's appeal against accusations of abusing its dominant market position in in-app payments, resulting in a 1.2 billion roubles ($12.1 million) fine issued back in January. In January, Russia's federal anti-monopoly service (FAS) imposed a fine on Apple, claiming that the company had violated competition rules by compelling Russian developers to use Apple's payment services within the iOS App Store. This decision was ratified by a Moscow court in May, making it legally binding. Apple had been contesting both the ruling and the fine.

Why does this matter?

This case serves as a noteworthy development in the broader context of tech regulation and antitrust concerns worldwide, with potential implications for similar cases and regulations in other countries. Furthermore, it raises questions about how Apple's business practices in the in-app payment space may affect app developers and consumers in Russia, potentially influencing broader industry practices.