Moscow, Europe Brief News – Hundreds of Russian Apple users have launched a legal claim, seeking 90m roubles (£1m) in damages from the US tech company.
Apple was among a number of big companies to pull services from Russia in response to the invasion of Ukraine, but Russian consumers are hitting back.
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.
Apple has declared intention to halt all product sales in Russia, in a widening corporate backlash to the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
Apple has become the latest major firm to take such a move.
The tech giant was “deeply concerned” about the Russian invasion and stands with those “suffering as a result of the violence”.
Apple Pay and other services such as Apple Maps have limited their services.
Nike did not comment on the conflict but customers are no longer able to order its products online.
An automated message said Nike was halting online orders because it could not guarantee delivery of goods to customers in Russia.
However, the website directed customers to their nearest Nike stores.
