Apple applies a number of geo-blocking practices prohibited in the European Union, including in the App Store. This was announced by the Consumer Protection Cooperation Network (CPC), made up of national consumer protection authorities and the European Commission.
Geoblocking involves blocking access to websites, the purchase of goods or services or the use of certain payment methods based on the nationality or place of residence of the consumer.
The CPC network conducted a coordinated European investigation into the geoblocking practices of certain “Apple Media Services”, namely the App Store, Apple Arcade, Apple Music, iTunes Store, Apple Books and Apple Podcasts. The CPC network therefore calls on Apple to stop these practices and to comply with European regulations.
The action of the CPC network is managed by the Economic Inspectorate of the FPS Economy, by the German Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur) and by the Irish Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, under the coordination of the European Commission.
Discrimination against European consumers
The CPC network has identified three elements which constitute unlawful discrimination against European consumers based on their place of residence.
- Barriers to online access. The App Store uses a different national interface in different EU/EEA countries. Consumers can therefore only visit the version of the interface of the country in which they registered their Apple account.
- Obstacles to downloading. The App Store does not allow consumers to download applications offered in another EU/EEA country when traveling there or temporarily staying there.
- Barriers related to payment methods. When making paid purchases in the App Store, consumers can only use payment methods from the country in which they registered their Apple account. This particularly concerns payment cards.
Apple now has one month to respond to the conclusions of the CPC network and make commitments on how it will bring the identified practices into compliance. Depending on Apple’s response, the CPC network could enter into dialogue with the company. If Apple does not sufficiently address the concerns raised by the CPC Network, national authorities may take binding measures to ensure compliance.
Learn more about European regulations regarding geo-blocking.
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