Some US tech giants may choose to pay a fine rather than comply with antitrust rules. This view was expressed by Margrethe Vestager, Vice President of the European Commission and Chief Digital Officer. She cited Apple’s fight with the Dutch competition authority as an example.
On Monday, the Dutch Consumer and Market Authority (ACM) imposed a €5 million fine on Apple. This is the fifth such penalty in a row in weeks, related to Apple’s stance on in-app payments.
Vestager believes that Apple’s behavior may indicate that other large companies will behave similarly.
“Apple’s behavior in the Netherlands these days can be an example,” Vestager said. “It is our understanding that Apple essentially prefers to pay periodic fines rather than comply with the decision of the Dutch competition authority regarding the conditions for third-party access to the App Store.”
Vestager previously proposed new rules known as the “Digital Markets Act” that would target companies such as Google, Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Microsoft. They may come into force next year. One of the requirements of the law will be open access to third parties to app stores and the ability to use third-party payment systems.
Source: ixbt
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