BRUSSELS, Feb 8 (Reuters) - Norwegian media group
Schibsted and the European Publishers Council have
urged EU antitrust regulators to ensure that tech rules coming
into play this year will rein in Apple's powers,
especially over its App Store.The comments from Schibsted, the largest media group in the
Scandinavia region, and the publishers' lobbying group come as
the European Commission's Digital Markets Act (DMA) takes effect
in May, targeting Big Tech.Apple is already in the EU antitrust crosshairs related to
its App Store practices in music streaming, in e-books and
competing apps as well as its mobile payment system Apple Pay.Apple's App Store practices affect Schibsted because of its
market power in Scandinavia where up to 60% of consumers have an
iPhone in Norway and Sweden, said Petra Wikstrom, director of
Public Policy at Schibsted."Apple's App Store policies, such as imposing high fees,
taking control of the entire customer relationship, and
withholding important user information under the guise of
privacy and security, hamper our transition to a
subscription-based business model," she told Reuters in an
interview."Therefore, to put an end to such abusive practices in the
digital space and induce positive behavioural change, it is
crucial that the DMA is effectively implemented and enforced,"
Wikstrom said.The EPC, whose members include chairmen and chief executives
of Axel Springer, News UK, Conde Nast, the New York Times and
The Guardian, echoed similar concerns."Yes, the EPC has the same position and concerns which we
have raised directly with the commission too. The DMA is very
clear in its obligations and we expect them to be enforced," EPC
Executive Director Angela Mills Wade told Reuters.The commission did not immediately respond to a request for
comment. Apple, which would be forced to loosen its App Store
rules under the DMA, could not be reached for comment.The company has previously said that 85% of developers on
the App Store do not pay any commission and only apps with more
than $1 million in annual revenue pay 30%.In 2021, to allay Japanese antitrust concerns, it scraped
the ban on providing separate links on App Store apps for reader
apps which provide content such as e-books, video and music.
(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Mark Porter)