Apple’s App Store Rules Scrutinized in U.S. Antitrust Probe
- Developers complain they’re locked in to Apple payment system
- Apple inquiry progresses as DOJ poised to file Google lawsuit
Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg
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About a year into a U.S. antitrust investigation of Apple Inc., Justice Department lawyers are scrutinizing rules that require many app makers to use the company’s payment system, according to people familiar with the matter.
Government lawyers have met with developers as recently as last week and are asking questions about Apple’s rules that require apps to use its App Store payment system for subscriptions, said the people, who declined to be identified discussing a confidential matter. Apple pockets up to a 30% cut when apps use the payment technology.