One of the two European investigations against Apple has just taken a new turn. Commission investigators have reportedly found new evidence to bolster their case for anti-competitive practice in the music streaming market. If the Cupertino giant is found guilty, it could have to pay a fine equivalent to 10% of its turnover.
As part of the complaint for abuse of dominant position of Apple, initiated by Spotify, with the European Union, the investigators have apparently just beefed up their file with new evidence, announces Reuters. This new influx of information, which apparently will not lead to an expansion of the charges against Apple, should however accelerate this file, hope the investigators.
A process in progress…
In April 2021, the European Commission pointed to the rules of Apple’s App Store, which require developers to use an in-app purchase system provided and controlled by Apple, while prohibiting developers from communicating on d other purchase options. These elements resulted in a distortion of competition in the field of music streaming, in particular for third-party services which must go through this to make available the application giving access to their music offer.
Because it was Spotify that caught the attention of the European Union after the launch of Apple Music and its integration by default in all iPhones.
At that time, European Union investigators sent a statement of objections listing the facts against Apple. Earlier this year, the teams in charge of the file considered the relevance of sending an additional document, according to Reuters. Generally, such an official document adds new facts and charges to the initial list.
The European Commission would have finally decided to send Apple a letter summarizing the facts, and which would specify that for the moment no decision has been taken. These kinds of documents are used to bring forward new facts, which back up the original charges against a company. Apple will then be able to respond in the same way, in an official letter, where its lawyers will have to counter-argue and defend their position.
Colossal fines, and a second case
If, under the terms of this procedure, Apple were to be found guilty of abuse of a dominant position, it could be ordered to pay a fine, the amount of which could be equivalent to 10% of its turnover.
This case around Apple Music is just one of the cases that the European authorities are currently investigating against Apple. Last May, the European Union opened another investigation into the Apple Pay payment system.
According to the European Commissioner for Competition, Margrethe Vestager, Apple is accused of having restricted access to certain key technological elements of its system to prevent the development of a third-party digital wallet solution. In this case, Apple also risks having to pay a fine of 10% of its turnover, or 36.6 billion dollars in view of the results announced for the past year.
Interestingly, even if Apple escapes fines under these investigations, its practices will no longer be permitted under the Digital Markets Act, a new piece of legislation passed just recently and expected to come into force this year. next.
Source :
Reuters