Apple has once again come under scrutiny from the European Union over accusations of using geo-blocking, which allegedly violates consumer rights and EU law. The issue affects several of Apple’s key services, including App Store, Apple Music, Apple TV+, and others. Users have reported restrictions depending on their country of residence: for example, purchases often can’t be made with a card registered outside the store’s region, while app functionality and design may also vary by country. This makes accessing content more complicated, particularly for travelers or those who want to use Apple services abroad.
Following an investigation by the Consumer Protection Network, it was revealed that geo-blocking affects not only App Store and Apple Music, but also services like Apple Podcasts, iCloud, Game Center, and Apple Sports. European regulators have given Apple one month to explain the situation and propose a solution. If the company fails to comply, it may face significant fines.
Read also: DeepSeek vs ChatGPT: the Chinese AI assistant conquers the App Store.
This isn’t Apple’s first clash with the EU — the company has previously faced accusations of antitrust violations and tax disputes that resulted in threats of multi-billion-dollar penalties. Even personal calls from Tim Cook to top EU officials highlight the seriousness of the issue. Now Apple faces a tough choice: either change its approach to operations in Europe or prepare for substantial financial losses and potential lawsuits. Time will tell which path the company decides to take.
Read also: OpenAI may acquire Chrome: the court will decide.
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