Russia has imposed a series of new restrictions on Apple’s FaceTime app, one of the country’s most widely used video calling devices, after government authorities earlier restricted WhatsApp and Telegram calling services, Reuters reported on Thursday (Nov. 4, 2025).
According to a report, Russia’s federal executive agency Roskomnadzor has imposed restrictions on the use of Apple’s FaceTime app in the country.
This comes at a time when Apple is already facing potential The threat of a $38 billion fine from antitrust regulators in India for allegedly abusing a dominant market position in its in-app payment system and paying kickbacks.
Apple’s $38 Billion Challenge
Apple has filed a petition against the Competition Commission of India (CCI) in the Delhi High Court, challenging their recent changes to the Competition Act, which will now allow sanctions based on a company’s global turnover.
If the court rules against Apple, these amended standards will potentially require nearly $38 billion in penalties based on the tech giant’s total revenue. Apple’s revenue for the year ending 2024 was $395.76 billion, according to CompanyMarketCap data.
In the last hearing on Monday, December 1, 2025, the court issued a notice to the Union government and the CCI, directing them to file an affidavit within a week explaining the reasons that led to the imposition of sanctions based on Apple’s global turnover rather than its Indian revenue.
How is Apple’s $38 billion fine calculated?
As Apple now faces the threat of a nearly $38 billion fine, let’s take a look at how India’s antitrust regulator calculated the fine for the US-based tech giant.
The iPhone maker challenged the amendment to Section 27(b) of the Competition Act, 2023 and the Monetary Penalty Guidelines, 2024 in the Delhi High Court.
Under the amended laws, the antitrust watchdog, CCI, can fine up to 10% of a company’s average global turnover over the past three financial years, in which case Apple will have to pay a billion fine to Indian regulators.
Apple antitrust case
Indian CCI began investigating Apple’s finances after receiving complaints about the tech giant allegedly using its dominant power to force developers to use its in-app payment system and also pay commissions of up to 30%.
While the CCI is seeking to fine Apple, the tech giant says the penalties based on the company’s global turnover are “arbitrary” and “grossly disproportionate” based on the fact that the charges related to its India business only.
The Supreme Court on Monday, December 1, 2025 refused to pass any order on the CCI’s request that Apple submit its financials by December 8. The court is likely to hear the matter again on December 16, 2025.
