According to Reuters, British regulatory authorities have begun an investigation into alleged anticompetitive practices on Apple’s App Store.
In recent months we’ve heard numerous complaints from app developers about the 15% or 30% cut Apple levies from purchases. Apps for iPhone and iPad can only be sold via the App Store, at least officially ( jailbroken devices can install software from other sources); in-app purchases such as virtual currency can be sold elsewhere, but not at a lower price than on the store.
Apple is not worried; in a statement the company justifies its cut by emphasising the benefits it offers. “The App Store has been an engine of success for app developers, in part because of the rigorous standards we have in place – applied fairly and equally to all developers – to protect customers from malware and to prevent rampant data collection without their consent,” the statement reads.
Apple says it will co-operate with the investigation.
Similar investigations are already underway in the EU and US. The Fortnite developer Epic had filed a complaint against Apple, having provoked its own expulsion from the App Store with a violation of the rules.
This article originally appeared on Macwelt. Translation by David Price.