Colombia Launches Antitrust Probe Into Apple's App Store

Colombia's competition authority has launched an antitrust probe into Apple, accusing the company of abusing its dominant position in the mobile app market. The investigation, announced by the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce (SIC), will look at whether Apple's App Store rules unlawfully restrict competition on iPhones and iPads in the country.

According to the SIC, the case centers on two main issues. First, regulators allege that Apple uses contractual clauses to block developers from creating or running alternative app stores. Officials say this tactic appears aimed at excluding potential rivals and keeping Apple's tight control over how digital goods are distributed on iOS and iPadOS devices in Colombia.

The second allegation involves payments. The SIC argues that Apple forces developers to rely on its In-App Purchase system for all digital goods and subscriptions, charging a commission of 15% to 30% on every transaction. Apple is also accused of banning developers from pointing users toward cheaper payment methods outside the app — a practice commonly known as anti-steering.


These claims mirror fights Apple is already facing elsewhere. In the European Union, the company was fined €500 million earlier this year for violating anti-steering rules under the Digital Markets Act. In the United States, a federal court recently found Apple in contempt over a similar dispute and barred the company from taking commissions on certain web-based purchases.

Regulators in Colombia say Apple's policies could build artificial barriers for developers, saddle consumers with unnecessary costs, and limit user choice by reducing access to alternative payment options. If the allegations are upheld, Apple could face fines of up to 10% of its total turnover.

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Read More [via MacMagazine]