Federal Antimonopoly Service of Russia has launched an investigation against Apple over alleged violations of antitrust laws. The probe follows a warning issued by the agency, which demanded that Apple remove discriminatory conditions affecting Russian search engines and apps. The investigation centers on Apple’s refusal to pre-install Max and RuStore on iPhones, which are Russian alternatives to Google and Apple’s own App Store. The Federal Antimonopoly Service claims that Apple’s current practices limit competition in the Russian market by favoring its own services over local alternatives. This marks the latest legal challenge against Apple in Russia, where the company has faced increasing scrutiny over its business practices. The case highlights growing regulatory pressure on tech giants to comply with local laws and open up their platforms to domestic competitors. The outcome of the investigation could have significant implications for Apple’s operations in Russia and its approach to app distribution in the region. (3dnews.ru)