The European Commission has announced the antitrust investigation against Apple. The regulator plans to check whether the company adheres to the rules of fair competition in the App Store and Apple Pay.
Regarding the App Store, European developers have repeatedly complained about the fact that Apple is trying to crush the competition with the help of the platform. The company charges a fee of 30% and requires the use of a proprietary system for mobile shopping services (IAP). In addition, the European Commission are interested in the rules of the App Store, prohibiting the creators of the application to notify the owners of iOS-devices of the cheapest alternatives available elsewhere.
According to Margrethe Vestager (Margrethe Vestager), the European Commissioner for Competition, "Apple takes on the role of" controller "when it comes to distributing applications and content among users of the popular Apple devices."
As for the mobile payment system Apple Pay, the European Commission's claims relate to the fact that users of the iPhone and iPad can use the contactless payment function Tap and Go only with Apple Pay.
Apple does not agree with the claims adjuster:
"We are deeply saddened by the decision of the European Commission, which accuses us because of unsubstantiated complaints of several companies who do not want to play by the same rules, that's all. We do not consider it right and we want to create a field with equal conditions, where anyone who has the determination and a good idea can succeed. "
Recall that in April this year, Apple launched its basic services, including the App Store, iCloud, Apple Podcasts and Apple Arcade, in the 20 new countries. Apple Music has also expanded the geography - access to the service got even residents of 52 countries.