According to the EU's Digital Markets Act, Margrethe Vestager, the EU's antitrust chief, said today that there are some "very serious" issues. Previously, there were reports that the EU was preparing to accuse Apple. In March of this year, the European Commission launched an investigation into Apple, Alphabet, and Meta based on the Digital Markets Act, which listed several concerns about Apple's business practices, including whether Apple prevented app developers from letting users know about cheaper app subscription options outside of its ecosystem (App Store). Vestager told the media today: "We have found some serious issues with Apple. I'm surprised by this." Apple has not yet commented on this. Vestager said: "Apple is very important because many good businesses are conducted through the App Store and its payment system. For such a company, non-compliance is certainly not what people expect, but we will treat Apple like any other business." Vestager also said that the conclusions of the investigation will be released "very soon." Last week, media outlets cited three sources familiar with the matter as saying that the European Union will accuse Apple based on the Digital Markets Act. This means that Apple will become the first major tech company accused by the EU based on the Digital Markets Act. Of course, these accusations will be preliminary, and Apple may take action to ease regulatory concerns. Ultimately, if it is found to have violated the Digital Markets Act, Apple may face fines of up to 10% of its global annual revenue. During her 10-year tenure as the European Commissioner for Competition, Vestager has made the restriction of the power of large tech companies a priority, as a way to create a level playing field in the 27-member bloc. During this period, she oversaw some of the largest investigations into tech companies, including Google parent Alphabet, and imposed multi-billion dollar fines on tech giants. As she prepares to step down, some investigations are still underway, including into the bundling of Office and the video and chat app Teams.$Apple (AAPL.US)$There are some "very serious" problems with Apple according to Margrethe Vestager, the EU's antitrust chief, under the EU's Digital Markets Act. The EU was previously reported to be preparing to accuse Apple. In March of this year, the European Commission launched an investigation into Apple, Alphabet, and Meta based on the Digital Markets Act, which listed several concerns about Apple's business practices, including whether Apple prevented app developers from letting users know about cheaper app subscription options outside of its ecosystem (App Store).
In March of this year, the European Commission launched an investigation into Apple based on the Digital Markets Act that came into effect earlier this year. The investigation raised several concerns about Apple's business practices, including whether Apple prevents app developers from offering users cheaper subscription options outside of its ecosystem (the App Store).$Alphabet-A (GOOGL.US)$ and $Meta Platforms (META.US)$The European Commission launched an investigation into Apple in March of this year based on the Digital Markets Act that came into effect earlier this year. The investigation listed several concerns about Apple's business practices, including whether Apple prevents app developers from offering users cheaper subscription options outside of its ecosystem (the App Store).
“We have found some serious issues with Apple. I'm surprised by this,” said Vestager to the media today.
Apple has not yet commented on this.
"Apple is very important because many good businesses are conducted through the App Store and its payment system. For such a company, non-compliance is certainly not what people expect, but we will treat Apple like any other business," said Vestager.
Vestager also said that the conclusions of the investigation will be released "very soon."
Last week, media outlets cited three sources familiar with the matter as saying that the European Union will accuse Apple based on the Digital Markets Act. This means that Apple will become the first major tech company accused by the EU based on the Digital Markets Act. Of course, these accusations will be preliminary, and Apple may take action to ease regulatory concerns. Ultimately, if it is found to have violated the Digital Markets Act, Apple may face fines of up to 10% of its global annual revenue.
During her 10-year tenure as the European Commissioner for Competition, Vestager has made the restriction of the power of large tech companies a priority, as a way to create a level playing field in the 27-member bloc. During this period, she oversaw some of the largest investigations into tech companies, including Google parent Alphabet, and imposed multi-billion dollar fines on tech giants. As she prepares to step down, some investigations are still underway, including into the bundling of Office and the video and chat app Teams.
During her 10-year tenure as the European Commissioner for Competition, Vestager has made limiting the power of large tech companies a priority, as a way to create a level playing field in the 27-member bloc.
Some investigations are still underway, including into the bundling of Office and the video and chat app Teams.$Microsoft (MSFT.US)$As she prepares to step down, some investigations are still underway, including into the bundling of Office and the video and chat app Teams.
When asked about the end of her term in office, Vestager said she is looking forward to some rest. She said, "Well, I might sleep for a month, because it's been so busy for these 10 years. I'm a bit looking forward to turning the page."
Edited by Jeffrey