The European Union continues to put pressure on Apple. While the firm's compliance with the Digital Markets Act is still closely monitored, the Cupertino firm is also required to make changes to its ecosystem in order to comply with the regulation on geo-blocking and the directive on services of the EU. The Consumer Protection Cooperation Network (CPC), which brings together national consumer protection authorities, and the European Commission, are calling on Apple to stop geo-blocking in the European Union.
The EU denounces a form of discrimination
Among the Apple services discussed are the App Store, Apple Arcade, Apple Music, iTunes Store, Apple Books and Apple Podcasts. After conducting an investigation, the CPC network concluded that, on the mobile applications of these services, Apple prevents the consumer from accessing interfaces designed for other countries (other than the country where the device is registered). The firm also requires consumers to use a payment method from the country where the device is registered. And regarding the App Store, Apple does not allow access to the catalog of applications from another country in the European Union or the European Economic Area.
“The geo-blocking regulation prohibits any unjustified discrimination between customers from the EU based on their nationality, place of residence or place of establishment when they wish to purchase goods or services from professionals located in a different Member State”explains the press release. In other words, if you live in France, Apple should, for example, allow you to access the German App Store, and the company should allow you to download all the apps available in that country.
Apple has one month to act
According to the press release from the European Commission, Apple has a deadline of one month to “respond to the conclusions of the CPC network and propose commitments as to how it intends to remedy the observed geo-blocking practices.” Then, the CPC network can negotiate with Apple, or take action at the national level, if Apple's commitments are not satisfactory.
- The European Commission and the Consumer Protection Cooperation Network (CPC) call on Apple to change its geo-blocking practices
- According to the press release, Apple must not unjustifiably discriminate between consumers in the European Union
- The firm has one month to respond to these concerns
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