EU Targets Apple Again: App Store Terms Face EU Antitrust Complaint

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Apple is facing a new round of regulatory pressure in Europe.

According to media reports on the 22nd, two civil rights organizations have filed a complaint with the EU antitrust regulator, accusing Apple’s App Store terms and conditions of violating the EU’s landmark Digital Markets Act (DMA), which aims to curb big tech companies.

The organizations, "Article 19" and Germany’s "Society for Civil Rights," jointly submitted this complaint to the European Commission. The complaint targets the commercial terms Apple has set for its App Store, iOS, and iPadOS operating systems, claiming these terms prevent and hinder small businesses’ interoperability with Apple devices.

The complaint calls for the European Commission to fine Apple, which could have a significant financial impact on the company. According to DMA regulations, fines can reach as high as 10% of a company’s global annual revenue. Earlier in April this year, Apple was already fined €500 million (about $583 million) for violating the DMA; this new complaint undoubtedly increases its regulatory risk.

The complaint directly targets interoperability barriers

According to media reports, the core of this 16-page complaint document is the claim that Apple’s commercial terms are in violation of the main purpose of the DMA. The DMA lists a series of “dos and don’ts” for big tech companies, aiming to open up markets dominated by giants to smaller competitors and give users more choices.

The complainants believe that Apple’s current terms restrict the installation and use of third-party software applications and app stores, harming the interests of business users and end users. Specifically, these terms are said to fail to effectively realize the interoperability required by the DMA, setting unfair barriers for small developers.

The complaint documents point out a specific financial threshold. Apple requires developers who wish to distribute apps on Apple platforms or install third-party app stores as native applications on iOS and iPadOS to provide a Standby Letter of Credit (SBLC) worth €1 million.

The complainants argue that this requirement creates an insurmountable obstacle for many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The complaint document states:

“A €1 million standby letter of credit entails ongoing annual costs and collateral requirements that many SMEs cannot meet.”

Apple faces new risk of fines

This complaint may once again subject Apple to hefty fines in the EU. The two civil rights organizations explicitly urge the European Commission to penalize Apple. DMA grants regulators strong enforcement powers, with fines capped at 10% of a company’s global annual revenue—a staggering figure for tech giants like Apple.

This incident is not isolated. Apple’s operations in the EU are continuously under strict scrutiny. In April of this year, the company was already fined €500 million for violating DMA-related rules. The new complaint shows that, in the view of some organizations, Apple’s adjustments to comply with the DMA still fall short of compliance, and its legal and financial risks in the European market are continuously accumulating.

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