Apple's monopoly on the mobile app store market is being investigated in Colombia
Colombia is another country that has initiated an antitrust investigation against Apple due to its App Store policies. The local regulator suspects that the corporation has violated free trade principles.
The Colombian Competition Authority conducted a preliminary investigation in 2024, but has now decided to delve deeper. The case has been handed over to the country’s General Directorate of Industry and Commerce.
Below are some preliminary findings from the previous agency:
- Apple has erected artificial barriers for developers wishing to distribute applications on iOS. The only option available to them is using the App Store.
- The corporation has prohibited third-party payment systems, thereby unreasonably imposing its services on developers.
- Apple has deteriorated the user experience for its device owners by limiting the functionality of the ecosystem through its actions. Specifically, users lost several potential methods of app payment.
It is assumed that if the investigation does not favor Apple, the company will have to change its App Store rules in Colombia.