UK opens antitrust probe into Apple’s App Store policies – By Saqib Shah (Engadget) / Mar 4 2021
The CMA said it acted after receiving complaints from developers.
Apple is facing yet more pushback in Europe over its iOS App Store policies for developers. The UK’s competition regulator has launched an antitrust investigation into the iPhone maker for alleged anti-competitive behavior. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) says it acted after receiving several complaints from developers decrying Apple’s “unfair” terms and conditions. It will now consider Apple’s App Store rules that sees it approving which apps make the cut and that force developers to use its own payment and in-app purchase systems.
“Millions of us use apps every day to check the weather, play a game or order a takeaway,” said Andrea Coscelli, chief executive of the CMA. “So, complaints that Apple is using its market position to set terms which are unfair or may restrict competition and choice – potentially causing customers to lose out when buying and using apps – warrant careful scrutiny.”
The latest action adds to the regulatory pressure Apple is facing in Europe. It follows the European Commission’s launch of separate antitrust investigations into the App Store and Apple Pay. In addition. Fortnite maker Epic Games has also filed a slew of complaints with global regulators, including in the UK, over Apple’s approach to in-app purchases.
The CMA previously released its own wide-ranging report on the digital sector that also highlighted Apple’s partnership with Google to use it as the default search engine on its devices. We have reached out to Apple for comment.
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