The European Commission has fined Apple more than €1.8 billion for abusing its dominant position in the market for the distribution of music streaming applications to iPhone and iPad users ("iOS users") via its App Store. The press service of the European Commission reports.
In particular, the Commission found that Apple applied restrictions on app developers by preventing them from informing iOS users about alternative and cheaper music subscription services available outside the app. Under EU anti-monopoly rules, this is an infringement of the law.
Apple is currently the only App Store provider where developers can distribute their apps to iOS users throughout the European Economic Area. Apple controls every aspect of iOS user interaction and sets the conditions that developers must fulfil in order to have a presence in the App Store and to be able to reach iOS users.
