Apple’s requirement that developers provide their own app store and payment system was a hot topic around the world. The company even had to open its doors to third-party stores and payment systems in EU countries due to European Union laws.
It has now emerged that such a step could come from Turkey. Competition Authority, launched an investigation against Apple for demanding its own payment systems.
The board will examine Apple’s approach to the App Store in detail
The Board states that an investigation has been launched due to the suspicion that Apple does not allow the use of alternative payment systems in the App Store and that users cannot receive information about alternative channels. It was also indicated that it will be investigated whether access to more affordable options is limited.
The Competition Authority says that links leading to alternative channels outside the application are also prevented from being included in the application. In this context, he indicates that he will investigate whether developers’ freedom of choice is eliminated by making the payment system mandatory. It was also indicated that Apple’s 30% commission on sales will be investigated during the investigation process. The full statement can be found below:
Statement from the Competition Authority:
“A Mobile Ecosystem Sector Review is currently being conducted within the Competition Authority to understand the structure and functioning of the relevant sector in relation to mobile smart devices and software for these devices, and the potential structural and/or behavioral competitive issues in the sector . In the context of the aforementioned Sector Review, Apple’s application developers are being consulted.” The signed contracts and the Application Assessment Directive were examined and suspicions arose that Apple was imposing certain restrictions on payment systems for application developers in the App Store.
Application developers may not inform their users within the application about payment channels outside the application, such as the application developer’s website. This ban should investigate whether the possibility for consumers to access better options (at a lower price) is limited because they are not aware of the existence of alternative payment channels and the difference between the price within the application and the price outside the application.
It also prevents links leading to alternative channels outside the application from being included within the application. In this regard, another doubt to be explored is whether Apple is eliminating the freedom of choice of application developers by requiring its own payment system and whether it is preventing other payment systems from entering the Apple ecosystem.
Another restriction that Apple places on application developers in terms of payment services is that Apple’s own payment system is required for in-app purchases. Thus, transactions related to the sale of in-app digital content must be carried out through Apple’s IAP payment system. Apple earns 30% commission income from sales transactions through IAP. The investigation process should examine whether Apple is eliminating the freedom of choice of application developers by requiring its own payment system and whether it is preventing other payment systems from entering the Apple ecosystem.
In this context, Apple Inc., with the decision of the Competition Council of 21.05.2024, has decided to initiate an investigation to determine whether Apple Technology and Sales Limited Company violates Article 6 of the Law on the Protection of Competition No. .4054 by not allowing the use of alternative payment systems in the App Store, the application store. , and by applying anti-direction provisions to mobile application developers.”
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