Apple Inc. is facing renewed scrutiny from the European Union, this time over its geo-blocking practices, which the bloc has deemed potentially in breach of consumer protection rules, Bloomberg reports.
The European Commission announced on Tuesday that Apple’s App Store, iTunes Store and other media services unlawfully discriminate against European customers based on their location. Specifically, the investigation found that Apple media services restrict users to payment cards issued in the country where their Apple account is registered. Additionally, the App Store prevents users from downloading apps available in other countries.
This latest development comes amidst a growing list of regulatory issues for Apple in the EU. The tech giant is facing its first-ever fine under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) for failing to allow app developers to direct users to cheaper deals, as reported by Bloomberg News last week. This follows a €1.8 billion ($1.9 billion) fine imposed earlier for similar antitrust violations under the bloc’s traditional competition rules.
The EU’s investigation into Apple’s geo-blocking practices was conducted in collaboration with national consumer authorities. It found that the company’s practices restrict consumer choice and limit competition within the European market.
Apple has been given one month to respond to the EU’s findings and propose remedies to address the identified geo-blocking issues. National regulators in the EU have the authority to issue fines for breaches of consumer protection law.
A spokesperson for Apple has not yet responded to a request for comment.
