Spain competition watchdog expands probe into Apple

Core Points - Spain's competition watchdog, CNMC, has expanded its investigation into Apple's App Store practices, focusing on potential anti-competitive behavior and unfair commercial terms imposed on app developers [2][3][4] - The inquiry, which began in July 2024, aims to determine if Apple has established a pricing schedule that developers must adhere to in order to distribute their apps [2][4] - Apple maintains that its App Store is designed to provide a safe and trusted experience for users while offering a valuable business opportunity for developers [3][4] Regulatory Context - The CNMC's investigation highlights concerns regarding Apple's closed ecosystem, which is seen as conflicting with European competition regulations [4] - The regulator's statement indicates that the practices under scrutiny could be considered restrictive to competition among businesses [3][4]