Italy's Antitrust Fines Apple for Alleged App Store Monopoly Abuse

• Apple allegedly imposed 'more restrictive privacy policy' on third-party developers starting April 2021, requiring duplicative consent requests through ATT screens
• AGCM states Apple holds 'absolute dominance' in App Store dealings and that ATT terms are unilaterally imposed and not proportionate to privacy objectives
• Investigation was conducted in coordination with European Commission and other international antitrust regulators over 18+ months

Italy's competition authority AGCM has fined Apple €98.6 million ($115.53 million) for alleged abuse of dominant position in the mobile app market through its App Store policies.

The investigation, initiated in May 2023, centers on Apple's App Tracking Transparency (ATT) policy implemented in April 2021. AGCM claims Apple violated European regulations by imposing restrictive privacy policies on third-party developers while maintaining "absolute dominance" in the app marketplace.

Key allegations include:

• Apple unilaterally imposed ATT terms that harm business partners' interests
• The privacy measures are disproportionate to their stated objectives
• Developers must duplicate consent requests, creating unnecessary barriers
• The policy doesn't comply with existing privacy regulations

Apple strongly disagrees with the decision, stating ATT was designed to give users control over cross-app tracking and applies equally to all developers, including Apple itself. The company emphasized its commitment to privacy protections and plans to appeal the ruling.

The investigation was conducted in coordination with the European Commission and international antitrust regulators, highlighting growing global scrutiny of big tech companies' market practices. This fine adds to mounting regulatory pressure on Apple's App Store policies worldwide, as authorities examine whether the company's control over iOS app distribution creates unfair competitive advantages.

The case underscores ongoing tensions between tech giants' privacy initiatives and regulatory concerns about market dominance, with potential implications for how app stores operate and monetize in European markets.