Apple faces charges by the EU for not disclosing other App Store purchasing options
On Tuesday, Reuters reported that the European Union antitrust regulators narrowed their case against Apple. It pinpointed the rules of the App Store that prevent developers from informing users of other purchasing options. They have stated that this violate the bloc’s rules against unfair trading conditions.
On the other hand, the European Commission, which acts as the executive for the 27-country European Union, dropped an earlier charge that targeted Apple’s rules. Said rules require developers to use their own in-app payment system.
The watchdog of the EU competition said Apple’s so-called “anti-steering obligations” for developers are “neither necessary nor proportionate for the provision of the App Store on iPhones and iPads and that they are detrimental to users of music streaming services on Apple’s mobile devices who may end up paying more”.
Subsequently, Apple said it was pleased the Commission had narrowed the case. Reportedly, it would respond to the regulator’s concerns.
The case was triggered by Spotify. It complained that Apple unfairly restricted rivals to its own music streaming service Apple Music on iPhones.
As a result, this prompted the Commission to open a case and issue a charge sheet against the renowned tech brand in April 2021. This covers its anti-steering mechanism and in-app payment system.
The Commission said Tuesday’s charge sheet, known as a statement of objections, would replace the 2021 document.
