The European Union accused Apple of violating digital market regulations
On Monday, the European Union filed its first charges under the bloc’s new set of digital competition laws against Apple, accusing the company of preventing app developers from directing users to cheaper options outside the App Store.
The European Commission stated that, according to preliminary findings, the restrictions imposed by the iPhone maker on developers using its mobile App Store violate the bloc’s Digital Markets Act.
This set of regulations, also known as DMA, is a comprehensive collection of rules aimed at preventing the monopolization of digital markets by technology gatekeepers, enforced with the threat of hefty financial penalties.
The commission initiated the initial round of investigations after the DMA was implemented in March, including a separate ongoing investigation into whether Apple allows iPhone users to easily switch web browsers. The commission also has similar cases in progress regarding Google and Meta.