Apple Hit With EU Complaint Amid Fight Over App Store Fees
- EU sends antitrust objections over in-app purchase requirement
- Vestager says Apple is a gatekeeper controlling access to apps
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Apple Inc. was handed a European Union antitrust complaint over its app payment rules, drawing one of the world’s toughest competition enforcers into a global battle over fees for downloads on smartphones and tablets.
The European Commission sent a so-called statement of objections to Apple on Friday, laying out how it thinks Apple abused its power as the “gatekeeper” for music-streaming apps on its App Store. The case backs complaints from Spotify Technology SA, which accuses Apple of imposing its in-app purchase system to take a cut of its subscription fees.