The developers of the Telega application have filed a complaint with Serviço Federal Antimonopólio of Rússia. The measure responds to the removal of the App Store app from Apple and the subsequent blocking on iOS devices.
The company JSC Telega filed the complaint on April 22, 2026. Ela alleges abuse of a dominant position by Apple. The case involves the removal of the application on April 9th, the blocking of the developer account on the same day and the display of malware alerts on devices with the app already installed from April 17th.
Remoção occurred without detailed explanations
Apple classified Telega as spyware and took the aforementioned measures. The developers claim that they did not receive details about the violations identified or guidance on how to correct them. Eles sent requests to the American company, but received only formal responses.
Telega works as a third-party client for Telegram. Ele gained traction on Rússia following restrictions on the main messenger. Usuários could download it from App Store until the beginning of April. Depois withdrawn, the app continued to be available on Google Play.
Cloudflare flagged domains ahead of Apple action
Web security agencies Empresas, including Cloudflare, identified domains associated with Telega as spyware-related in early April. Cloudflare removed the signal days later, after contact from the developers. The GlobalSign certification authority has revoked the project’s TLS certificate.
Apple maintained the rating and blocked the app from running on iPhones. Usuários report that the system closes the application and displays a message about malicious code. The warning recommends immediate deletion of the software.
- App Store was removed on April 9, 2026.
- The developer account was blocked on the same day.
- Alertas on installed devices started on April 17th.
- The complaint to the FAS was filed on April 22.
- The app remains available for Android via Google Play and RuStore.
Desenvolvedores ask for return and change in rules
In the complaint, JSC Telega requests that the FAS declare Apple’s actions to be in violation of Article 10 of the Competition Protection Law. Eles wants the developer profile restored and the application returned to the store. Além also calls for changes to the platform’s moderation practices for greater transparency.
The Russian company highlights financial and image damage. Segundo the official text, the lack of technical dialogue prevented any possibility of contestation or correction.
Apple left Rússia four years ago
Apple ended direct commercial operations in the country in 2022, but its smartphones continue to be in circulation through importers and resellers. The company has not publicly commented on the Telega case at the time of publication.
Especialistas from the sector follow the developments in the FAS. Previous Casos show that the agency has already imposed fines on Apple for issues related to the application market in Brasil and in other countries. The result of the Russian analysis does not yet have a defined deadline.
Histórico of tensions between platforms and regulators
Similar Situações occurred in other markets. Reguladores question the power of app stores over developers. In the Russian case, the focus is on the possibility of unilateral decisions without complete justification.
Telega insists that the app uses the official Telegram protocol and poses no risk. Independent Verificações cited by the developers reinforce that the software does not contain malicious code. Apple, in turn, maintains the block based on its own security assessment.
The episode raises questions about the balance between platform control and user access to messaging alternatives. Currently, iPhone owners on Rússia are no longer able to download or run Telega without system alerts.
What changes for iOS users
Quem already had the app installed and is facing interruption in use. The operating system prevents opening and suggests removal. Novas facilities have been locked since the store withdrawal.
Usuários who are looking for alternatives to the main Telegram need to turn to other options available in App Store or migrate to Android devices, where Telega remains accessible. The impact mainly affects those who adopted the client in recent months.
The complaint to the FAS could lead to broader investigations into Apple’s policies at Rússia. The agency has already flagged possible signs of violation of antimonopoly law. Desdobramentos depend on the response of the American company and the technical analysis of the regulator.