The European Commission opened the way on Monday to heavy financial sanctions against Apple by estimating, on a preliminary basis, that its App Store application store did not comply with European Union competition rules.
“The App Store rules violate the Digital Markets Regulation (DMA) because they prevent application developers from directing consumers to alternative distribution channels for offers and content,” Brussels said in a “preliminary opinion”.
This opinion constitutes a first under the new competition rules introduced by the DMA and which have become binding since March 7.
Apple now has the possibility of exercising its rights of defense by having access to the file. The group may respond in writing to the preliminary conclusions.
If these were confirmed, the Commission would adopt a final decision of non-compliance by the end of March 2025. Apple could then be fined up to 10% of its global turnover, and even later up to 20% in the event of a repeated violation.
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For similar reasons, the Cupertino group was already fined 1.8 billion euros by the Commission at the beginning of March, following an investigation opened in June 2020 after a complaint from the music streaming platform. Spotify.
Apple, which considers itself in compliance, has filed an appeal with the EU court to have this sanction annulled.
“We are determined to use the DMA’s clear and effective toolbox to quickly put an end to a saga that has already lasted for too many years,” said European Digital Commissioner Thierry Breton.
“Apple’s new slogan should be ‘act differently’. For too long, the ‘tech’ giant has been crowding out innovative companies and depriving consumers of new possibilities,” he said.
