Accessibility links

Breaking News

Business and Technology

EU Taking Bigger Apple Bite

FILE: The Apple logo is seen on the outside of Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, California. Taken 9.7.2016
FILE: The Apple logo is seen on the outside of Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, California. Taken 9.7.2016

EU antitrust regulators are set to beef up an investigation into Apple triggered by Spotify with new evidence but not new charges, in the hope of speeding up the case, people familiar with the matter said.

Apple found itself in the European Commission's crosshairs after Spotify had complained that the U.S. tech company unfairly restricted rivals to its own music streaming service Apple Music on iPhones.

The EU competition enforcer set out its charges in a so-called statement of objections or charge sheet.

The Commission is now expected to send a "Letter of Facts" to Apple instead, other people familiar with the matter said, adding that there was no final decision yet.

A letter of facts typically contains new evidence reinforcing the original charges against companies which can then counter with a written submission.

The watchdog subsequently considered sending a supplementary statement of objections, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters earlier this year.

The company was hit with another EU antitrust charge in May related to its mobile payment system Apple Pay.

The alleged practices in both cases will be illegal under new EU tech rules known as the Digital Markets Act that will come into force next year with penalties as high as 10% of a company's global turnover.

Apple, which risks a fine as much as 10% of its global turnover if found guilty of breaching EU antitrust rules, did not respond to emailed requests and phone calls for comment.

The Commission also declined to comment.

See all News Updates of the Day

Africa News Tonight: Kenya works to block mpox spread, Nigeria moves closer to BRICS, China seeks to build support in Africa for its goals

Africa News Tonight: Kenya works to block mpox spread, Nigeria moves closer to BRICS, China seeks to build support in Africa for its goals
please wait

No media source currently available

0:00 0:24:55 0:00

Africa News Tonight: MSF leaves Khartoum hospital, Somalia, Ethiopia mend ties, steel maker quits South Africa in face of cheap imports

Africa News Tonight: MSF leaves Khartoum hospital, Somalia, Ethiopia mend ties, steel maker quits South Africa in face of cheap imports
please wait

No media source currently available

0:00 0:24:55 0:00

Africa News Tonight: Fears grow about freed prisoners in Syria, nations seek new defense strategy, Seychelles sees great-power competition

Africa News Tonight: Fears grow about freed prisoners in Syria, nations seek new defense strategy, Seychelles sees great-power competition
please wait

No media source currently available

0:00 0:24:55 0:00
Direct link

Africa News Tonight: FBI broadens probe in New Orleans attack, African nations struggle with debt, Carter effort led to landmark peace deal

Africa News Tonight: FBI broadens probe in New Orleans attack, African nations struggle with debt, Carter effort led to landmark peace deal
please wait

No media source currently available

0:00 0:24:55 0:00
Direct link

Africa News Tonight: Carter funeral plans underway, Guinea opposition will not recognize military rule, Apple denies using conflict minerals

Africa News Tonight: Carter funeral plans underway, Guinea opposition will not recognize military rule, Apple denies using conflict minerals
please wait

No media source currently available

0:00 0:24:55 0:00
Direct link

Load more

XS
SM
MD
LG