Apple came under the crosshairs of EU officials following Spotify protested that the US tech giant had unfairly denied competitors from using Apple Music on iPhones.
EU antitrust regulators are preparing to increase the scope of their investigation into Apple that was triggered by Spotify and new evidence, but no new charges in hopes of speeding the process, sources who are familiar with the issue said.
The European Commission last year advised Apple iPhone manufacturer that the Application Store rules that requires users to utilize its in-app payment system , and prohibit them from informing customers about other payment options creates a monopoly in the market for music streaming.
Apple was in the crosshairs of Europe’s Commission following Spotify protested that the US technology company had unfairly limited rivals from its own streaming music service Apple Music to iPhones.
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It was the EU competition enforcer laid out its charges in a statement of objections, or charge sheet.
The watchdog was then able to consider the possibility of submitting a further statement of concerns, a source who was familiar with the issue said to Reuters earlier in the year.
The documents usually outline the new charges, or any changes to the initial charges.
The Commission is expected to deliver a letter of fact to Apple instead, people who are familiar with the issue stated, noting that there is no final decision to make at this point.
A letter of facts typically includes new evidence to support the charges made against companies in the first place that can be countered with an oral submission.
The Commission declined to provide a comment.
Apple is at risk of being fined up to 10% of its worldwide revenue if it is found guilty of breaking EU antitrust regulations has not responded to requests for comment via email or calls to discuss the matter.
Apple was targeted by a second EU antitrust investigation in May, relating the mobile payments system Apple Pay..
The practices that are alleged in both cases are unlawful under the new EU technology rules referred to by the Digital Markets Act that will take effect next year and could result in penalties of up to 10 percent of the business’s worldwide turnover.
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