European Union (EU) regulators have launched a fresh investigation into Apple’s compliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), focusing on the tech giant’s support for alternative iOS marketplaces. The inquiry highlights concerns over Apple’s “steering” policies, which the regulators claim violate DMA guidelines aimed at fostering competition.
Margrethe Vestager, the EU’s head of competition policy, expressed their initial stance that Apple restricts steering. “Steering is key to ensure that app developers are less dependent on gatekeepers’ app stores and for consumers to be aware of better offers,” Vestager stated.
The regulators are worried that Apple’s current business model poses significant challenges for app developers attempting to operate as alternative marketplaces and reach iOS users. “We will look into Apple’s new business model – the commercial terms Apple imposes on app developers who want to reach end users on the iOS platform,” they announced.
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Additionally, the EU regulators have presented their preliminary findings in a non-compliance case. “And it is again about Apple. About the many ways in which their new terms fall short of the DMA requirements regarding steering users to options outside the Apple App Store. As they stand, we think that these new terms do not allow app developers to communicate freely with their end users, and to conclude contracts with them,” they concluded.
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