The European Commission, the executive body of the European Union (EU), ordered Apple to stop geo-blocking the App Store, Apple Arcade, Music, iTunes Store, Books and Podcasts. stated. Apple is now being asked to bring its apps into line with the EU’s anti-geo-blocking rules.
This new guidance against Apple comes as a result of a coordinated investigation carried out by national authorities in Belgium (Directorate-General for Economic Inspection), Germany (Bundesnetzagentur) and Ireland (Competition and Consumer Protection Commission), under the coordination of the European Commission. The investigation found the following limitations for consumers in the EU/EEA:
- Online access: Apple Media Services has different interfaces for different countries in the EU/EEA. In the app versions of these services, consumers are only allowed to access the interface made for the country where they registered their Apple account, and they face significant difficulties when trying to change this; This is not allowed under the EU’s anti-geo-blocking rules.
- Payment methods: When making paid purchases on Apple Media Services, consumers are only allowed to use payment methods (such as a credit/debit card) issued in the country where they registered their Apple account.
- Download: Consumers cannot download apps offered in other countries because the App Store does not allow consumers to access another EU/EEA country’s version. Consumers should be able to download applications offered in other EU/EEA countries when they travel to or temporarily stay in that country.
Apple must now respond to the findings and commit to fixing identified geoblocking practices. If Apple fails to address concerns, authorities will take enforcement action to ensure compliance.
Source: www.technopat.net
