apple EU competition chief Margrethe Vestager told CNBC on Tuesday that regulators are preparing to bring charges against the iPhone maker under sweeping rules aimed at curbing big tech companies, EU competition chief Margrethe Vestager told CNBC on Tuesday , Apple has many “very serious” problems.
In March this year, the European Commission, the EU’s executive agency, launched an investigation into Apple. letter and Meta, under the sweeping Digital Markets Act (DMA) technology legislation that came into effect this year.
The investigation raised some concerns about Apple, including whether the tech giant prevents businesses from informing users about cheaper product options or subscriptions outside of the App Store.
“We had a lot of problems with Apple, and I found them to be very serious. I was surprised that we suspected Apple of noncompliance,” Vestager told CNBC’s Silvia Amaro.
Apple did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment.
“(Apple) is very important because a lot of good business happens through the App Store, through payment mechanisms, so of course, even though you know I can say that’s not what to expect from a company like this, we certainly will work with Just like any other business, strictly enforce the same priorities.
Vestager added that the results of the investigation would be released “hopefully soon”.
Comments appear on Financial Times Reports emerged last week that Brussels would press charges against Apple under the DMA over the investigation, citing three people familiar with the investigation. According to the Financial Times, the charges will be preliminary and Apple may take action to allay regulators’ concerns.
CNBC could not independently confirm the report.
If found to have violated DMA rules, Apple could face fines of up to 10% of the company’s annual global turnover.
During her 10 years as EU competition commissioner, Vestager made it a priority to limit the power of big tech companies as a way to level the playing field in the 27-nation bloc.
EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager held a press conference in Brussels, Belgium on March 25, 2024.
Yves Herman | Reuters
She has overseen some of the largest investigations into tech companies such as Google parent Alphabet and has imposed billions of dollars worth of fines on tech giants. As she prepares to leave the office, multiple investigations are ongoing, including an antitrust investigation into Microsoft’s bundling of its video and chat app Teams with other Office products.
Speaking about the end of her term, Vestager said she was looking forward to a break.
“Well, I’ll probably take a nap for a month or so because it’s been a decade of overcharging,” Vestager said. “I’m kind of looking forward to the new chapter.”
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