The iPhone developer is being investigated by the European Commission over its treatment of app developers, potentially leading to a multi-billion dollar fine.
Apple is accused of using its dominant market position to exploit app developers, according to a preliminary finding by the European Commission.
An investigation has been launched into whether the iPhone developer may be violating European competition laws, preventing developers from «steering» customers to better offers while handing them prohibitively high referral fees. Combined with similar previous infractions, this offense could land the company with a near $80 billion fine.
The European Commission has informed Apple that it considers its App Store rules in breach of the Digital Markets Act, adopted by the European Parliament in September 2022.
The Digital Markets Act, which the commission calls «one of the centrepieces of European digital strategy», establishes a set of criteria to ensure contestability in the online sphere, and prevent the act of «gatekeeping» by dominant technology firms.
Apple is alleged to have violated this act by preventing app developers from «steering» consumers to alternative channels for content.
