Apple argued that putting reasonable limitations on third-party developers' access to its technology did not amount to anti-competitive behavior.

The Spanish Competition Authority, CNMC, has launched an inquiry into potential anti-competitive practices by Apple. The regulator alleges that the tech giant may have imposed unfair conditions on app developers using its App Store. Apple has denied these claims, asserting that all developers compete fairly on its platform. Reuters: ‎ The practices could be considered a very serious violation of competition law and could carry a fine worth as much as 10% of the company’s global revenues, the regulator said in a statement. Apple denied imposing unequal commercial conditions on mobile application developers. “Spanish developers of all sizes compete on a level playing field on the App Store,” it said in a statement. “Apple will continue to work with the…

Apple scored a legal win on Thursday. A California court dismissed a lawsuit claiming Apple restricted app development tools, forcing higher iPhone prices. This defeat for consumers leaves them without a class-action case on this issue. Mike Scarcella for Reuters: ‎ U.S. District Judge Richard Seeborg in San Francisco said the plaintiffs did not have legal standing to pursue their antitrust claims for now that Apple made unlawful agreements with Google and other browser makers to block competing developer technology. Three residents of California and Illinois sued Cupertino, California-based Apple in January, challenging what they called its “closed ecosystem of apps and services” and seeking an order that could have blocked the company from requiring developers to use its app…

An investigation by India’s antitrust body has found that Apple exploited its dominant position in the market for app stores on its iOS operating system, engaging “in abusive conduct and practices,” Reuters reports citing “a confidential report” to which it was given access. Aditya Kalra for Reuters: ‎ The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has been investigating Apple Inc. since 2021 for possibly abusing its dominant position in the apps market by forcing developers to use its proprietary in-app purchase system. Apple has denied wrongdoing saying it was a small player in India where phones that use Google’s Android system are dominant. The CCI’s investigations unit, in its 142-page report which is not public but was seen by Reuters, said…

In a surprising move, Apple is asking a Chinese court to modify its written decision in an antitrust lawsuit Apple itself won. This unusual request highlights the delicate balance Apple must navigate as an American company operating in China, the world’s leading smartphone market. According to a ruling by the Shanghai Intellectual Property Court in May, Apple did not abuse its market power and has not charged unfairly high App Store commission fees. Pei Li for Bloomberg News: ‎ Apple has filed a petition asking the Supreme People’s Court to make tweaks to select sentences in a ruling that ended a dispute over the cut of app revenue it takes from most developers, according to an excerpt of the filing…

European Union antitrust regulators charged on Monday that Apple breached the bloc’s tech rules, a charge that could result in a hefty fine for the iPhone maker which also faces another investigation into new fees imposed on app developers. The European Commission has until March next year to issue a final decision. DMA violations could result in a fine of as much as 10% of a company’s global annual revenue. Reuters: ‎ EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager cited issues with Apple’s new terms, saying that they fell short of complying with the DMA. Apple can avoid a fine if it can address the concerns by modifying its business terms. She said it was up to Apple to decide how to…