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The European Union continues to put pressure on Apple. While the firm’s compliance with the Digital Markets Act is still being closely monitored, the Cupertino firm is also being ordered to make changes to its ecosystem in order to comply with the EU’s geo-blocking regulation and services directive. The Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) network, which brings together national consumer protection authorities, and the European Commission are calling on Apple to stop geo-blocking in the European Union.
EU denounces a form of discrimination
Among the Apple services mentioned are the App Store, Apple Arcade, Apple Music, iTunes Store, Apple Books and Apple Podcasts. After conducting an investigation, the CPC network concluded that, on the mobile applications of these services, Apple prevents the consumer from accessing interfaces designed for other countries (other than the country where the device is registered). The firm also requires consumers to use a payment method from the country where the device is registered. And regarding the App Store, Apple does not allow access to the application catalog of another country in the European Union or the European Economic Area.
200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000“The Geo-Blocking Regulation prohibits unjustified discrimination between EU customers on the grounds of their nationality, place of residence or place of establishment when they wish to purchase goods or services from traders located in a different Member State,” the statement said. In other words, if you live in France, Apple should, for example, allow you to access the German App Store, and the company should allow you to download all the apps available in that country.
Apple has one month to act
According to the European Commission’s press release, Apple has one month to “respond to the CPC network’s findings and propose commitments on how it intends to address the observed geo-blocking practices.” Then, the CPC network can negotiate with Apple, or take action at the national level, if Apple’s commitments are not satisfactory.
- The European Commission and the Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) network are calling on Apple to change its geo-blocking practices
- According to the press release, Apple must not unjustifiably discriminate between consumers in the European Union
- The firm has one month to respond to these concerns
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