The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) has demanded that Apple pre-install Russian search engines on devices with the iOS operating system for users from Russia. The Ministry of Digital Development supported the antimonopoly authorities and threatened the American corporation with "tough measures" if the order is not fulfilled.
We believe that if Apple does not comply with the requirement, it is necessary to introduce strict liability. Because Google complied.
Earlier, the head of the FAS, Maxim Shaskolsky, sent a letter to Apple, pointing out the violation of consumer rights. Russians complain that there is no pre-installed domestic search engine on the iPhone.
The Safari browser is loaded by default on smartphones, which uses Google for search. You can choose other search engines in the settings, but only Western ones — Yahoo, Bing, DuckDuckGo and Ecosia.
The FAS letter indicates that as an alternative to the Russian search engine, Apple could add the development of one of the EAEU countries to devices with iOS. The agency will wait for a response from the Western corporation until October 31, 2025.