Antitrust in-depth investigation by the European Commission over Apple Store rules

Summary:

Information Guide concerning an in-depth investigation conducted launched by the European Commission in June 2020 on Apple's rules for app developers on the distribution of apps via the App Store. An inf4ri

Further information:

The European Commission announced on 16 June 2020 the opening of formal antitrust investigations aimed at assessing the rules established by Apple for app developers on distribution of apps via its App Store. The investigation concerned in particular the mandatory use of Apple's own proprietary in-app purchase system and restrictions on the ability of developers to inform IPhone and IPad users of alternative cheaper purchasing possibilities outside of apps.

The investigation was launched following two separate complaints concerning music streaming services and e-book/audiobook distribution.

On 30 April 2021, the Commission announced the sending of a Statement of Objection to Apple. The decision followed a preliminary conclusions that Apple had abused its dominant position for the distribution of music streaming apps through its App Store and distorted competition in the music streaming market.

Commentary and Analysis

The Bloomberg: Opinion, 16/06/2021: Apple Deserves the EU Antitrust Scrutiny It's Getting https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2020-06-16/apple-app-store-deserves-european-union-antitrust-scrutiny

European Publishers Council: EPC Welcome's European Commission Decision to open Investigations into Apple Pay and Apple App Store (18 June 2020) https://www.epceurope.eu/post/epc-welcome-s-european-commission-decision-to-open-investigations-into-apple-pay-and-apple-app-store

The Economist, 27/06/2020: Why Apple’s developers are cross https://www.economist.com/business/2020/06/27/why-apples-developers-are-cross

---

News

BBC News, 16/06/2020: Apple faces two EU anti-competition probes https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-53066518

Euronews, 30/04/2021: Apple overcharges rival streaming services like Spotify, SoundCloud and Deezer, claims Brussels https://www.euronews.com/2021/04/30/european-commission-sues-apple-for-over-charging-rival-streaming-services

The New York Times, 30/04/2021: Apple’s App Store Draws E.U. Antitrust Charge https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/30/technology/apple-antitrust-eu-app-store.html

The Verge, 30/04/2021: EU accuses Apple of App Store antitrust violations after Spotify complaint https://www.theverge.com/2021/4/30/22407376/apple-european-union-antitrust-charges-app-store-music-competition-commission-margrethe-vestager

Reuters, 30/04/2021: EU hits Apple with music streaming charge in boost for Spotify https://www.reuters.com/technology/eu-antitrust-regulators-charge-apple-over-app-store-restrictions-2021-04-30/

Politico, 30/04/2021: Vestager zeroes in on Apple’s App Store with antitrust charges in Spotify case https://www.politico.eu/article/commission-charges-apple-over-spotify-complaint/

ITV News, 30/04/2021: Apple accused of breaking EU competition rules over App Store payments for music streaming https://www.itv.com/news/2021-04-30/apple-accused-of-breaking-eu-competition-rules-over-in-app-payments-for-music-streaming

The Guardian, 30/04/2021: Apple accused of breaking EU law over App Store sales fees https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/apr/30/apple-eu-law-app-store-iphone-ipad-music-streaming

---

Official

European Commission: DG Competition: Cases Database: AT.40437 | Apple - App Store Practices (music streaming) https://ec.europa.eu/competition/elojade/isef/case_details.cfm?proc_code=1_40437

European Commission: Press Release, 16/06/2020: Antitrust: Commission opens investigations into Apple's App Store rules https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_1073

European Commission: Press Release, 30/04/2021: Antitrust: Commission sends Statement of Objections to Apple on App Store rules for music streaming providers https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_1073

European Commission: Statement by Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager on the Statement of Objections sent to Apple on App Store rules for music streaming providers (30 April 2021) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_21_2093

---