The European Commission and national consumer protection authorities have urged Apple to eliminate geo-blocking practices in its digital services, including the App Store, Apple Arcade, Music, iTunes Store, Books, and Podcasts. This request aims to ensure that all European Union citizens can access the same services under similar conditions, regardless of their country of residence.

Identified Geo-Blocking Practices:

• Payment Method Restrictions: Consumers can only use credit or debit cards issued in the country where they registered their Apple account, limiting the ability to use payment methods from other EU countries.
• Limited Access to Applications: The App Store offers different applications depending on the country, preventing users from downloading apps available in other EU regions.
• Regional Interfaces: Apple’s services present different interfaces based on the country, and consumers face significant difficulties when attempting to change their account’s regional settings. .

European Commission’s Response:

The Commission has given Apple a one-month deadline to address these concerns and propose solutions to eliminate the identified geo-blocking practices. Failure to do so may result in national consumer protection authorities adopting enforcement measures to ensure compliance with European regulations, which could include financial penalties.

Legal Context:

Since 2018, the European Union has enforced a regulation prohibiting unjustified geo-blocking within the internal market, aiming to eliminate discrimination based on consumers’ nationality or place of residence. The practices identified in Apple’s services may contravene this regulation, prompting the request to eliminate geo-blocking. Cinco Días

This action reflects the European Union’s commitment to ensuring a single and barrier-free digital market, promoting equal access to digital services and products for all its citizens.