MOSCOW, August 11 (RAPSI) – The Federal Antimonopoly Service of Russia (FAS) has found that Apple Inc. abuses its domination on the iOS apps market power with respect to distribution of instruments and means for development of parent control programs, according to the watchdog’s press service.

The antitrust probe into Apple Inc. over this issue was launched on the application of Kaspersky Lab cybersecurity company alleging that Apple unfoundedly rejected the versions of Kaspersky Safe Kids (KSK) parent control program. As a result, a version of KSK lost an essential part of its functionality, the claim reads.

According to FAS, it was established that Apple dominates the market of iOS apps, since they can be distributed exclusively via company’s App Store.

The company has been abusing this position since October 2018, when it started to pursue a consistent policy aimed at constraining instruments and means for development of parent control programs, what resulted in the loss of a better part of functionality of such programs by third party developers.

While pursuing this policy, Apple released its own app Screen Time with similar functionality, the watchdog states.

FAS states that Apple has abused its market dominance as to developers of parent control programs; restrained competition as to distribution of apps on the iOS market; violated market principles by retaining its right to close access to App Store for any third party applications even when those meet requirements set by the company.

The watchdog is to issue a notice of violation obliging Apple to undertake remedial measures, the statement reads.