A Moscow Court Takes on Apple – The Unbelievable “GayCoin” Lawsuit
Picture this: a Russian guy, an Apple fan, and a cryptocurrency that turns out to be called GayCoin. Sounds like a funny prank, right? Well, it’s actually a real court case, and it’s heading to Moscow’s Presnensky District Court for a hush‑hush preliminary hearing.
Why the Trouble?
- Alex Razumilov (that’s the only name we’ll use for privacy) wanted Bitcoin.
- He received 69 units of GayCoin instead – with a cheeky note: “Don’t judge until you try.”
- He’s claiming this mix‑up caused him to “experiment” with same‑sex relationships, leading to some personal turmoil.
- He’s suing Apple for a hefty 1 million rubles (about US$21,295) in damages.
In the slippery climate where casual homophobia is widespread and a broad “propaganda” ban limits activism, this case really holds a mirror up to how tech companies are sometimes (or accidentally) entangling with sensitive societal issues.
The Court’s Next Move
The legal showdown will begin behind closed doors. The parties’ representatives are set to meet a judge to outline the case, while the plaintiff himself won’t attend, citing privacy concerns.
From Tech Store to Reality Show
Here’s how the client’s saga unfolded – and why the headline has a hint of “black comedy”:
- He downloaded an app from the Apple Store, expecting the usual crypto buzz.
- Instead, he got a packet of GayCoin. The message? “Don’t judge until you try.”
- In the aftermath, he claimed to have “tried” single‑sex relations, feeling “stuck” after just two months.
Whether the lawsuit will land a real verdict or just a chuckle from the jury, one thing is clear: In a world where digital transactions have become soul‑searching experiences, even a minor mishap can spiral into a legal spectacle.
‘Harm and suffering’
Mysterious Case: A Guy vs. Apple Over a Shady App
Imagine a man who’s just had a major blow to his reputation. He fell in love with his pretty girlfriend, but an alleged messy third‑party app turned their romance into a heartbreak drama. Now he’s suing Apple for mental suffering and “moral harm.”
The Heartbreak Story
His lawyer, Sapizhat Gusnieva, told AFP that the lawsuit “is a big blow to his reputation.” She added that the man won’t even be able to explain this mess to his parents. “He knows nobody will understand,” she said, and noted that living in Russia just makes it more complicated.
The Russian Legal Landscape
- Russia only decriminalised homosexuality in 1993, after the Soviet Union rolled back.
- Between 1993‑1999, it was still considered a mental illness.
- In July, the European Court of Human Rights found Russia guilty of refusing to register three LGBT‑rights NGOs.
Why Apple Comes Into the Picture
Even though the alleged exchange happened on a third‑party app, Gusnieva argues Apple must be held accountable. “Apple let that company work with them, added the app to the App Store, and people could download it,” she explained. She’s now demanding Apple provide the contacts for the company that launched the GayCoin currency.
Apple’s Silence
Apple’s Russian representatives didn’t respond to AFP’s request for comment. Stay tuned – the legal wheels may still be turning.
