14 DAY TRIAL // Security vendor Kaspersky, mostly known for its award-winning antivirus software, filed an antitrust complaint against Apple with the Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service.
In a blog post discussing this decision, Kaspersky explains that this is a necessary step following a series of changes that Apple made to the App Store policies and which allow the company to create a monopoly around its apps.
Specifically, Kaspersky says it all started when Apple requested the firm to remove configuration profiles from its Kaspersky Safe Kids app, which is a parental control tool that helps parents keep an eye on the activity of their children on an iOS device.
“It turned out that, according to Apple, the use of configuration profiles was against App Store policy, and Apple demanded that these be removed, so that the app could pass the review and be published in the store. For us, that would mean removing two key features from Kaspersky Safe Kids: app control and Safari browser blocking,” the company explained.
Others affected too, says Kaspersky
Kaspersky says that the request came at a time when Apple was finalizing Screen Time, a new iOS feature whose purpose was also to monitor app usage on iPhone and iPad.
“From our point of view, Apple appears to be using its position as platform owner and supervisor of the sole channel for delivering apps to users of the platform to dictate terms and prevent other developers from operating on equal terms with it,” Kaspersky explains.
The security vendor also goes on to highlight other software developers who were impacted by Apple’s new App Store policies, emphasizing that while it hopes to continue working with the Cupertino-based giant, it wants this to happen “on equal footing.”
“We are therefore confident that we are right and that our initiative will benefit the market at large. We very much hope that Apple will provide competitive terms to third-party developers, so that it can continue its winning relationship with the company and the advancement of progress,” the firm says.
Apple hasn’t yet responded to the antitrust complaint. You can read Kaspersky’s full statement here.