European Commission tells Apple to stop geo-blocking practices | Infinium-tech

Apple is once again in dispute with the European Commission (EC). The body has issued a call on Apple to stop geo-blocking practices in its App Store, Apple Arcade, Apple Music, iTunes Store, as well as Books and Podcasts apps. The EC, together with the Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) network of national consumer authorities in the EU, asked Apple to align its practices with the EU’s anti-geo-blocking rules.

CPC Network found that Apple Media Services (which is an umbrella term referring to all the above Apple services) has a different UI for different countries in the EU and EEA. In the app versions of these services, consumers are only allowed to access an interface created for the country where they registered their Apple account and “face significant challenges when attempting to change it”, which is not the case in European countries. Not allowed under federal anti-segregation. Blocking rules.

Additionally, when making purchases on Apple media services, consumers can only use cards issued in the country where they have registered their Apple account, and finally, consumers are no longer able to download apps offered in other countries. Not allowed. The EC and CPC networks emphasize that consumers “should be able to download apps offered in other EU/EEA countries when they travel or temporarily reside in that country”.

Geo-blocking rules prohibit unfair discrimination between EU customers based on their nationality, residence or place of establishment when they seek to purchase goods and services from merchants based in a different EU country. The investigation was led by Belgium’s Directorate-General for Economic Inspection, Germany’s Bundesnetzagentur and Ireland’s Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, under coordination with the EC.

Apple now has one month to respond to these findings and propose commitments on how it will address the geo-blocking practices identified. If Apple fails to address these concerns, national consumer protection authorities may take enforcement measures to ensure compliance.

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