Apple’s refusal to offer Microsoft and Facebook’s game broadcasting services could lead to an investigation into the Apple company in Europe for falsification of competition.
Apple recently turned down Facebook’s gaming app. According to the latter, it was tolerated only as a streaming service, but not as an element allowing users to play. As for Microsoft, which is launching its game streaming service Project xCloud, it is also given a refusal, because Apple wants to be able to judge each game individually.
But this attitude is also attracting the attention of Europe, which is currently conducting four surveys about Apple, including three about the App Store and restrictions imposed by Apple, among other things because developers are forced to use Apple’s ‘in-app’ shopping system. This system also allows Apple to earn money, when revenue is generated in this way.
“The Commission is aware of the concerns raised by the rules in force in the Apple App Store,” a spokesperson for the European Commission told the agency Reuters, even if he gives no other details.
Following the denial, Microsoft said Apple is being less severe on apps other than games. For its part, Apple says it allows certain things, such as PlayStation Remote and SteamLink, and that it applies the same rules to all apps, in order to protect customers.
This is not the first time that Apple’s App Store policy has come under fire. The company effectively secures its store against any content potentially unsuitable for minors, for example. But the fact that Apple makes a solid chunk of its revenue through digital subscriptions like newspapers or, in this case, game streaming services, is often a thorn in the side of vendors as well.
Apple recently turned down Facebook’s gaming app. According to the latter, it was tolerated only as a streaming service, but not as an element allowing users to play. As for Microsoft, which is launching its game streaming service Project xCloud, it is also given a refusal, because Apple wants to be able to judge each game individually. But this attitude is also attracting the attention of Europe, which currently performs four surveys about Apple, including three about the App Store and restrictions imposed by Apple, among other things because developers are forced to use Apple’s ‘in-app’ shopping system. This system also allows Apple to earn money, when revenue is generated in this way. “The Commission is aware of the concerns raised by the rules in force in the Apple App Store,” said a spokesperson from the European Commission to Reuters, although he gave no further details. Following the denial, Microsoft said Apple is being less severe on apps other than games. For its part, Apple says it allows certain things, such as PlayStation Remote and SteamLink, and that it applies the same rules to all apps, in order to protect customers. This is not the first time that the policy of Apple’s App Store is being targeted. The company effectively secures its store against any content potentially unsuitable for minors, for example. But the fact that Apple makes a solid chunk of its revenue through digital subscriptions like newspapers or, in this case, game streaming services, is often a thorn in the side of vendors as well.
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