UK Regulator Drops Apple Investigation Due to Priority Shift

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority has announced the termination of its inquiry into Apple's in-app payment system, stating that the decision is based on a shift in administrative priorities. Although this move does not signify a definitive judgment by the CMA, the organisation will maintain surveillance over Apple's activities in the market. The CMA clarified that this decision does not impede its capacity to launch future investigations or take action regarding the conduct under scrutiny. The case's closure follows an internal review, considering the rapidly evolving nature of the situation and the potential prolonged duration of any action. Meanwhile, the European Commission has been investigating Apple since March, focusing on potential breaches of the Digital Markets Act. Preliminary findings released in June indicated that Apple's practices may have violated the regulations, highlighting potential drawbacks of its proprietary payment system. Recently, Apple has updated its business terms in the EU, now allowing developers to link to external payment systems or promote alternative offers that bypass the built-in iOS payment system.