EU slams Apple's geo-blocking practices, says it's "discriminatory"

Apple has been in hot water in the European Union (EU) for a long time now. The company may soon be facing a hefty fine from the EU over its anti-steering Apple Store policies. It has just been over a week since that report surfaced and another warning is knocking on its doors. Now, the EU has warned Apple over geo-blocking its online storefront of its media services.

The EU warns Apple to stop geo-blocking practices

Apple has long been offering and restricting content delivered through Apple Media Services to specific markets around the globe. For the uninitiated, Apple Media Services is an umbrella term for the company’s online storefronts and streaming services. It includes the App Store, Apple Arcade, Music, the iTunes Store, Books, and Podcasts.

However, the Commission appears to have a different opinion about this practice. In a press release published today, the EU slammed Apple’s geo-blocking practice, saying it was “discriminatory.” The EU mentions that Apple’s practice violates two EU regulations.

A part of the press release notes, “The Geo-blocking Regulation prohibits unjustified discrimination between EU customers on the basis of their nationality, residence, or place of establishment when they want to buy goods and services from traders located in a different Member State.” In addition, the Services Directive appears to have a similar provision.

The tech giant has one month to reply to the EU

Apple now has a deadline of one month to reply to the CPC Network’s findings and propose commitments. In the reply, the EU expects the Cupertino tech giant to state how it will address the geo-blocking practices.

If the iPhone maker fails to address the raised concerns, authorities “can take enforcement measures to ensure compliance.” It’s worth noting that there is no mention of any possible fine in the press release. In the past, Apple had agreed to different directives that were more in line with EU regulations. Time will tell how Apple tackles this new issue.