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Colombia Opens Formal Antitrust Investigation Into Apple’s App Store Rules

Evidence collection now begins to assess alleged exclusion of rival stores plus restrictions on external payments.

Overview

  • The Superintendence of Industry and Commerce named Apple Inc. and Apple Services Latam LLC in an administrative inquiry into App Store conduct in Colombia.
  • Regulators say the case focuses on contractual clauses that bar third‑party app marketplaces on iOS and iPadOS, keeping distribution limited to Apple’s store.
  • The probe also targets requirements to use Apple’s In‑App Purchase system with 15%–30% commissions and alleged anti‑steering rules that block links to cheaper payment options.
  • Acting under Decree 2153 of 1992, the SIC says findings could trigger behavioral remedies or fines up to 10% of Apple’s turnover in Colombia.
  • The action follows preliminary findings of abusive strategies and tracks global enforcement, including an EU €500 million penalty under the DMA and a recent U.S. contempt ruling over anti‑steering.