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Apple users in Russia have launched a legal claim, seeking 90m roubles (£1m) in damages from the US tech company.
Apple limited its payment service – Apple Pay – in Russia last month, as a number of companies reduced their presence in response to the invasion of Ukraine.
But owners of Apple products in Russia allege that this reduced the functionality of their devices and lowered their value.
Chernyshov, Lukoyanov & Partners, the Russian law firm acting for the consumers, said Apple’s actions had been unfair and discriminatory under Russian law.
The claimants are also asking for compensation for “moral damage” and are calling for Apple Pay to be restored in Russia.
The suit has been filed with a Moscow court and the lawyers said the total figure being sought could rise as more consumers join the action.
Senior partner Konstantin Lukoyanov said Apple’s US parent company had made the decision to suspend sales of Apple products and restrict services offered in Russia.
“Therefore, our lawsuit’s claims are directed firstly at the parent company and secondly at its subsidiary units,” he said in
a statement reported by Reuters news agency.
Apple has not commented on the news.
Back in March, when it limited Apple Pay, removed Russian state-backed news outlets from its App Store and paused all product sales, Apple said it was “deeply concerned” by what was happening in Ukraine.
It added: “We are supporting humanitarian efforts, providing aid for the unfolding refugee crisis, and doing all we can to support our teams in the region.”
Chernyshov, Lukoyanov & Partners is pursuing a similar claim against streaming company Netflix, which also suspended its service in Russia last month.
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