Europese Commissie gaat App Store en Apple Pay onderzoeken
Dat er vanuit de Europese Commissie een onderzoek naar de regels rond de App Store zou komen zat er, sinds
de klachten van onder andere Spotify, al een tijd in. Inmiddels
is het zover, en tegelijkertijd is er ook een
onderzoek gestart over hoe Apple met Apple Pay omgaat.
Bij beide onderzoeken is het executive vice-president Margrethe Vestager die daar de scepter over zwaait. In de aankondiging van het onderzoek naar de regels van de App Store worden naast ‘streaming muziek’ (lees: Spotify) ook e-books en audiobooks genoemd. De reden daarvoor is dat ook e-book distributeur Kobo bij de Europese Commissie een klacht had ingediend. Hieronder wat Margrethe Vestager over beide onderzoeken zei, met daaronder de reactie van Apple op de start van deze twee onderzoeken.
Europese Commissie gaat App Store en Apple Pay onderzoeken
Margrethe Vestager over het onderzoek naar de regels van de App Store:
Mobile applications have fundamentally changed the way we access content. Apple sets the rules for the distribution of apps to users of iPhones and iPads. It appears that Apple obtained a “gatekeeper” role when it comes to the distribution of apps and content to users of Apple's popular devices. We need to ensure that Apple's rules do not distort competition in markets where Apple is competing with other app developers, for example with its music streaming service Apple Music or with Apple Books. I have therefore decided to take a close look at Apple's App Store rules and their compliance with EU competition rules.
En over het onderzoek naar Apple Pay:
Mobile payment solutions are rapidly gaining acceptance among users of mobile devices, facilitating payments both online and in physical stores. This growth is accelerated by the coronavirus crisis, with increasing online payments and contactless payments in stores. It appears that Apple sets the conditions on how Apple Pay should be used in merchants' apps and websites. It also reserves the “tap and go” functionality of iPhones to Apple Pay. It is important that Apple's measures do not deny consumers the benefits of new payment technologies, including better choice, quality, innovation and competitive prices. I have therefore decided to take a close look at Apple's practices regarding Apple Pay and their impact on competition.
En dan de eerder beloofde reactie van Apple op beide onderzoeken.
We developed the App Store with two goals in mind: that it be a safe and trusted place for customers to discover and download apps, and a great business opportunity for entrepreneurs and developers.
We're deeply proud of the countless developers who've innovated and found success through our platform. And as we've grown together, we've continued to deliver innovative new services — like Apple Pay — that provide the very best customer experience while meeting industry-leading standards for privacy and security.
It's disappointing the European Commission is advancing baseless complaints from a handful of companies who simply want a free ride, and don't want to play by the same rules as everyone else. We don’t think that's right — we want to maintain a level playing field where anyone with determination and a great idea can succeed.
#ApplePay #AppStore
Gast
