The UK has opened an inquiry into Apple’s App Store citing fears that it has a monopolistic position that stifles competition and harms customers. Authorities in the United Kingdom have opened an inquiry into Apple’s App Store citing fears that it has a monopolistic position that stifles competition and harms customers.
The Competition and Markets Authority announced on Thursday that it was investigating suspected competition law violations by Apple. The news adds to regulatory criticism of Apple’s app delivery channel, which is also under investigation by the European Union’s executive Commission in three antitrust cases.
App developers complained that Apple would only let them sell their applications to iPhone and iPad users via the App Store, prompting the investigation. The developers have argued that Apple needs all app, add-on, and update transactions to be made via its Apple Pay system.
Every day millions of people use apps to check the weather, play a game, or order takeout said Andrea Coscelli the authority’s CEO. As a resul,t claims that Apple is abusing its market power to impose conditions that are unfair or may limit competition and choice possibly causing consumers to lose out when purchasing and using apps should be scrutinised carefully.
The watchdog said it will look at whether Apple has a dominant role in app delivery for Apple devices in the UK and if so if it imposes unequal or anti-competitive terms on developers resulting in less competition or higher prices for customers purchasing apps and extras. Apple claims that the App Store is a convenient and secure environment for customers as well as a lucrative business opportunity for developers.
