Russia's antitrust watchdog, FAS, announced on Thursday that it has kicked off investigations on Apple's business practices following a complaint from Kaspersky Lab. The latter complained that the smartphone giant may be abusing its commercial power.
According to Reuters, the FAS is looking into why Apple's operating system (OS) did not update a new version of the Kaspersky Lab's Safe Kids application. Due to the blockage of supposed updates on the app, functionality was reduced, the cybersecurity company revealed.
Russia's FAS further revealed that instead of the Kaspersky program being updated, Apple opted to update Screen Time. It is worth noting that the said app has very similar functions to that of Kaspersky.
This is the second monopoly-related issue that bombed out of the Apple comfort zone this month. The American smartphone maker is reportedly under investigation by Japan's Fair Trade Commission (JFTC).
Amid the Russian watchdog's revelation, Apple has yet to make an official statement about the allegations from Kaspersky Lab. However, the company previously denied earlier claims that it was monopolizing the tech market.
Local news outlet The Mainichi reported earlier this week that the JFTC is looking into the allegations that Apple may have abused its power in the industry. The company reportedly did not pay Japanese firms that were forced to provide knowledge and technology necessary for producing device components.
One of the companies that complained reportedly demanded that the contract with Apple be revised but the American tech behemoth allegedly refused. Instead, Apple reportedly threatened to halt collaborations.
Aside from drawing the ire of two international watchdogs, Apple is also faced with potential investigations back home. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is preparing to launch an extensive probe into American "Big Tech" firms.
The so-called Big Tech firms are Apple, Amazon, Facebook, and Google. The DOJ's investigations were prompted by industry experts and politicians questioning whether or not the four companies have been violating competition rules.
It hasn't been a month since the DOJ announced that it's Antitrust Division will look into Big Tech practices. Late in July, the DOJ said in a statement that it is considering "widespread concerns that consumers, businesses, and entrepreneurs have expressed about search, social media, and some retail services online."
While Apple has yet to face the Congress and Senate at home turf, the increasing scrutiny outside of the U.S. is expected to grab the attention of American regulators and lawmakers.
Industry experts noted that that the iPhone maker may have to resolve its issues raised by the FAS and JFTC before it can overcome potential questioning from Silicon Valley's overseer, the U.S. DOJ.
