EU Ends Antitrust Probe Into Apple’s E-Book and Audiobook Practices

The investigation was closed after the complainant withdrew, but regulators emphasize this is not a confirmation of compliance with competition laws.

The European Commission has closed its four-year antitrust investigation into Apple’s e-book and audiobook rules after the complainant withdrew their case.
The probe focused on Apple’s requirement for third-party e-book and audiobook apps to use its in-app payment system and restrictions on promoting alternative payment methods.
The closure does not indicate that Apple’s practices were found to comply with EU competition rules, according to the Commission.
The Digital Markets Act, implemented during the investigation, already required Apple to loosen its app store restrictions, making the specific probe less relevant.
EU regulators will continue to monitor Apple’s business practices under broader competition rules and the Digital Markets Act.