MOSCOW – US tech giant Apple has paid an antitrust fine of 1.2 billion rubles (US$13.6 million) for forcing Russian iOS app developers to use the company’s payment instrument in their applications, the Russian Federal Anti-Monopoly Service (FAS) said on Monday, adding that the funds have already been transferred to the Russian budget, reported Sputnik.

“Apple has paid an antitrust fine in the amount of 1.2 billion rubles. The funds have already been transferred to the budget of the Russian Federation … Apple imposed on Russian iOS application developers the need to use the company’s payment instrument in their applications,” the agency said in a statement.

The statement recalled that the agency recognised the American company as a violator of antitrust regulations in July 2022. On Jan 19, Apple paid the fine, the statement added. – BERNAMA-SPUTNIK / pic TMR FILE