Apple: EU opens major investigation into App Store and Apple Pay

The EU has opened a major investigation into Apple over concerns that it uses its platforms unfairly. The EU commission will pursue antitrust investigations against the company over its App Store and Apple Pay products, which critics argue have stifled competition. The Commission said it was investigating Apple Pay over allegations the tech giant wields its control over the Pay platform to force developers into using it over others. It said a preliminary investigation had raised concerns that "Apple's terms, conditions, and other measures related to the integration of Apple Pay" may "distort competition and reduce choice and innovation". In addition, the EU Commission announced it had opened a second investigation into concerns that the firm's App Store restricts developers from informing iPhone and iPad users of alternative purchasing possibilities, instead pushing "mandatory use of Apple's own proprietary in-app purchase system".