Italy's antitrust watchdog probes Apple over competition in app market
This May 30, 2019, file photo shows the logo of American multinational technology company Apple in Milan. AFP-Yonhap
Italy's antitrust authority is probing allegations that Apple is abusing its dominant position in the app market, thwarting competition, officials said Thursday.
The authority alleges that Apple's privacy policy for third-party developers is more restrictive than the one applied to its own apps, using language that discourages tracking.
In addition, the antitrust authority alleges that outside developers also face restrictions in the quality of data provided by Apple regarding the effectiveness of advertising, impacting revenues in favor of Apple's own apps.
The authority said the data is essential in outlining the appeal of the app to potential advertisers. “The presumed discriminatory conduct by Apple can cause a drop in advertising proceeds by third-party developers, in favor of its own commercial division,” as well as impeding competition on the Apple app market, it said. (AP)