The United Kingdom’s anti-competition authority has announced that it will investigate Apple and its App Store, following complaints that the firm uses the store to “restrict competition”.
This is the latest in a long series of investigations and complaints brought to Apple, and will see the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) scrutinize the App Store in the UK. The CMA said it had received an “unspecified” number of complaints from developers.
Speaking in a statement, Dr. Andrea Coscelli, chief executive of the CMA, said: “Millions of us use apps every day to check the weather, play a game or order a takeaway.
“So complaints that Apple is using its market position to set terms which are unfair or may restrict competition and choice – potentially causing customers to lose out when buying and using apps – warrant careful scrutiny.”
Apple has already responded to the allegations, telling BBC News: “We believe in thriving and competitive markets where any great idea can flourish.
“The App Store has been an engine of success for app developers, in part because of the rigorous standards we have in place – applied fairly and equally to all developers – to protect customers from malware and to prevent rampant data collection without their consent.”
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