Apple Inc. (AAPL) is again in the European Union’s crosshairs. On Tuesday, the EU asked the Cupertino, California-based tech giant to stop geo-blocking its services. These include its App Store, Apple Arcade, Music, iTunes Stores, Books, and Podcasts. Apple had restricted content on these services according to the geographical location of its web fans.
European Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said, “We are stepping up the fight against geo-blocking. No company, big or small, should unjustly discriminate customers based on their nationality, place of residence, or place of establishment.”
According to a press release, the Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) Network of national consumer authorities asked the tech giant to comply with the EU’s anti-geoblocking rules.
The CPC pointed out European web fans‘ limitations on Apple Media Services. They include the following:
Online access
Apple Media Services uses different interfaces for different countries. Web fans who want to change the interface from the country where they registered their account to another face several challenges.
Payment methods
Apple allows its web fans to use only payment methods, such as debit or credit cards issued by the country where they registered their Apple account.
Downloading
Apple does not allow web fans to download apps offered in other countries where they travel or temporarily stay.
The European Union has given Apple one month to address the geo-blocking issues it has identified and to give its commitments on how the tech giant will rectify the ongoing restrictions. Otherwise, it could face “enforcement measures to ensure compliance.”
Apple has already faced a fine of close to $2 billion from the EU for antitrust violations and other fines for anti-steering practices. If it does not address the issue of its geo-blocking practices, there is potential for an additional fine.
Apple has not as yet commented on this recent warning by the EU.
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