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Apple Faces EU Antitrust Complaint Over App Store and iOS Restrictions

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Apple is facing a new antitrust complaint in the European Union, filed jointly by civil rights organizations Article 19 and Germany’s Society for Civil Rights. The complaint, submitted to the European Commission, accuses Apple of breaching the Digital Markets Act (DMA) through restrictive App Store terms and device policies that limit interoperability and competition.

The complaint argues that Apple’s conditions for developers — including a €1 million stand-by letter of credit (SBLC) — create barriers for small and medium-sized enterprises seeking to distribute or install third-party apps on iOS and iPadOS. The groups claim such practices violate the DMA’s goal of ensuring fair access and consumer choice in digital markets.

Apple rejected the allegations, stating that its rules protect users and developers by maintaining high security and quality standards. The company said it had proposed changes to its credit requirements, but that the European Commission asked it not to proceed.

The European Commission confirmed it is reviewing the complaint as part of its ongoing supervision of “gatekeeper” companies under the DMA. The law allows regulators to impose fines of up to 10% of a company’s global annual revenue for noncompliance — a significant threat for Apple, which was fined €500 million earlier this year for other App Store violations.

Google offers new search result changes to avoid looming EU antitrust fine

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Google has submitted a fresh set of proposals to the European Commission in an effort to avoid a major antitrust fine, pledging to further modify how its search results display competing services such as Google Shopping, Hotels, and Flights.

According to a document seen by Reuters, Google’s latest offer builds on a July proposal that faced pushback from vertical search services (VSS) — specialized search engines focused on areas like travel, hotels, and restaurants — as well as price comparison sites. These rivals argued Google’s previous plans still favoured its own services.

The new proposal is part of an investigation under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), a sweeping EU law aimed at curbing Big Tech dominance, promoting competition, and offering users more choice.

In the updated framework, Google said it will allow third-party search services to display their own dedicated boxes on search results pages, similar in format to those used for Google’s own services. Each “VSS box” will contain inventory and results directly from the third-party platform, selected through objective, non-discriminatory criteria.

Suppliers — such as hotels, airlines, or restaurants — would appear in boxes placed either above or below depending on query relevance, the company explained. Google also said it would not share competitors’ data with other parties, a key concern among rivals.

While expressing a desire to resolve the EU probe, Google warned that excessive changes could benefit intermediaries at the expense of European businesses selling directly to consumers. “We remain concerned that further changes could prioritise the commercial interests of a small set of intermediaries,” a company spokesperson said.

European Commission Reviews Child Safety Measures on Snapchat, YouTube, and App Stores

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The European Commission has begun reviewing how platforms such as Snapchat, YouTube, Apple’s App Store, and Google Play protect minors online under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA). The investigation focuses on whether these companies’ safeguards are sufficient to prevent young users from being exposed to illegal products or harmful content.

The Commission has requested detailed information on age verification tools and on how the platforms block access to content promoting illegal substances, including drugs and vapes, as well as to material that could encourage eating disorders.

EU technology chief Henna Virkkunen said the assessment, carried out in cooperation with national authorities, aims to determine whether platforms are truly protecting children.

Google stated it already enforces “robust parental controls” and offers “age-appropriate experiences” across its platforms. “We keep expanding these efforts and continue to engage with the Commission on this critical area,” a Google spokesperson said.

The DSA, which came into full effect in 2024, imposes strict obligations on digital platforms to identify and mitigate risks linked to illegal or harmful content — marking one of the EU’s strongest steps toward regulating online safety for minors.