How will this change affect users?

Almost six years have passed since the adoption of the resolution aimed at stopping geographical blocking in the European Union (EUROPEAN UNION). Thanks to the new legislation, EU consumers will be able to purchase goods and services in any country in the community, regardless of their country of origin.

But, as often happens, when new rules appear on the scene, not all companies immediately begin to enforce them (or do so not quite in the way the authorities expect). This seems to be exactly what is happening with Apple. The European Commission (EC) has indicated that the Cupertino company may discriminate against European consumers.

Apple services and geo-blocking regulation

The European Commission is basing its latest action on an investigation carried out by the Consumer Protection Cooperation Network (CPC). The group found three specific restrictions that European consumers may face. Apple services such as the App StoreApple Arcade, Music, iTunes Store, Books and Podcasts. Let’s look at them in detail.

Various interfaces. The user experience that users in the European Economic Area (EEA) see depends on the country in which they reside. There is some logic to this, as a localized interface can improve the user experience. Now the authorities say that users “face serious problems when trying to change it, which is not allowed under EU anti-geo blocking rules.”

Restrictions on payment methods. The PDA also mentions the disadvantages of using payment methods (such as credit and debit cards) issued in a country other than the one registered with your Apple account.

App Store Downloads. The investigation also points to how Apple operates the App Store. They say consumers cannot access another EEA country’s version of the app store with their account. Therefore, they cannot download apps offered in that country. “Consumers should be able to download apps offered in other EU or EEA countries when they travel to that country or stay temporarily there,” they say in the text.

What’s next?

Now that you have received the notification, Apple is a month old suggest an answer. We will have to wait to see whether the Cupertino company responds to the concerns of European authorities. The European Commission warns it could take enforcement action if the Cupertino company does not address its concerns.

This isn’t the first time European authorities have come knocking on Apple’s door. The bloc’s updated legislation has led to historic changes in the ecosystem of the company led by Tim Cook. For example, the Digital Markets Act (DMA) prompted the company to allow third-party app stores to be installed on the iPhone.

We’ve contacted Apple to see if they have any information on this issue.

Images | Hataka with DALL·E 3 | Apple

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