BRUSSELS: The EU's powerful competition authority opened a series of cases against Apple on Tuesday, in a sign that Brussels was not backing down in its efforts to rein in US-based tech giants.
The cases put Apple back into the crosshairs four years after Brussels ordered the California-based giant to repay 13 billion euros ($14.7 billion at current rates) in back taxes on antitrust concerns.
The claims - which Apple angrily rejects - land as Brussels is preparing historic changes to EU law that would beef up Europe's ability to limit the size and power of so-called digital "gate-keepers" that also include Amazon, Google and Facebook.
In the EU's first case, the European Commission followed a complaint brought by Sweden-based Spotify and others that accused Apple of making unfair use of its app store to promote its own Apple Music.
The commission also launched an in depth investigation into Apple Pay based on concerns that the fast-growing and easy-to-use payment system is shutting out rivals.
Spotify filed a formal complaint in 2019 that took issue with restrictions by Apple on apps that don't use its payment system on its App Store.
Apple takes a 30 percent cut from businesses using its store, which Spotify says amounts to a violation of fair competition rules.
"It appears that Apple obtained a 'gatekeeper' role when it comes to the distribution of apps and content to users of Apple's popular devices," said EU Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager in a statement.
"We need to ensure that Apple's rules do not distort competition in markets where Apple is competing with other app developers, for example with its music streaming service Apple Music or with Apple Books."
The European Union's in-depth investigations do not necessarily mean a fault has been found, and there is no deadline for the commission to complete its case.-AFP