EU antitrust investigation into Apple's e-books sector concluded

Apple is facing antitrust charges from various regulatory agencies around the world, including the EU, where it was investigating the company for allegedly violating antitrust laws regarding e-books.

Daily News 22 / 11 / 2024
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/mex_24_6024

Apple ebooks antitrust investigation closed; had become irrelevant
https://9to5mac.com/2024/11/22/apple-ebooks-antitrust-investigation-closed-likely-because-it-was-irrelevant/

In June 2020, the European Commission (EC), the EU's executive body, launched an investigation into Apple's alleged violation of EU competition law by restricting the sale of content (e-books and audiobooks) to in-app purchases only in e-book and audiobook apps and by not allowing developers to inform users where they can sell e-books or audiobooks without paying a fee to Apple. At the same time, the EC also launched an antitrust investigation into Apple's alleged imposition of similar practices on music streaming apps.

European Commission launches investigation into Apple over 'App Store and Apple Pay' violations of antitrust laws - GIGAZINE

In March 2024, the EC concluded that the music streaming app violated antitrust laws, and imposed a huge fine of 1.8 billion euros (approximately 290 billion yen) on Apple.

Apple ordered by EU to pay huge fine of 294 billion yen and change App Store rules for antitrust violations - GIGAZINE

Furthermore, in June 2024, under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), the EC designated Apple as a gatekeeper for the App Store. In response, the EC decided to end its investigation into antitrust violations of music streaming apps. As a result, Apple is prohibited from forcing app developers to use in-app purchases under the DMA, and is also required to refrain from imposing financial and non-financial restrictions on app operation.

Then, on November 22, 2024 local time, the EC announced that it would close its antitrust investigation because the complaints about Apple's e-books and audiobooks had been withdrawn. However, the EC stated that 'the closure of the investigation does not mean that the conduct in question complies with EU competition law. The EC will continue to monitor business practices in the European technology sector, including Apple, under both the DMA and competition law,' adding that the closure of the investigation does not mean that antitrust laws have not been violated.

Apple will allow the use of third-party payment services for the first time in January 2022.

Apple finally allows third-party payment methods on iOS, Korea is the first to do so - GIGAZINE

Additionally, starting in January 2024, apps will be allowed to include 'links to payment systems other than in-app purchases.'

Apple finally allows iPhone apps to 'insert links to external billing systems,' but fees apply - GIGAZINE

This lifted two of the main restrictions in Apple's antitrust investigation into e-books: restricting the sale of content (e-books and audiobooks) to in-app purchases only and not allowing developers to tell users where they can sell their e-books or audiobooks without paying a fee to Apple.