The European Union (EU) has taken a significant step towards challenging Apple’s App Store policies. According to preliminary findings by EU regulators, Apple has violated the Digital Markets Act, a law passed in 2022 to address anti-competitive behavior. The EU alleges that Apple has illegally blocked software developers from informing customers about accessing content outside the App Store.
This development comes as Apple’s services business becomes increasingly important in a market saturated with high-end hardware. However, this shift towards App Store commissions and subscriptions has drawn more scrutiny towards Apple’s “walled garden” business approach.
Despite Apple’s insistence that it complies with the law, the EU is set to make a final decision early next year. This case marks the first time a US tech giant has been targeted under European law. Meanwhile, the business practices of Meta and Google are also under investigation for compliance with the law.
Apple’s legal troubles are not limited to Europe. The company also faces antitrust charges from the US Justice Department and 16 state attorneys general. Despite these challenges, Apple remains a dominant player in the tech landscape, with its ecosystem unrivaled and AI-focused apps seen as the next lucrative frontier.
Read more: finance.yahoo.com