Expansion of investigation by Spain's regulatory body into allegations regarding Apple's App Store pricing practices
In a recent development, Spain's National Commission of Markets and Competition (CNMC) has expanded its investigation into Apple, alleging potential anti-competitive behaviour and unfair pricing practices in the company's App Store. The probe, which began in July 2024, was extended in July 2025 following the discovery of new evidence[1][2][3][4].
At the heart of the investigation is the suspicion that Apple imposes mandated pricing schedules on developers, restricting their ability to set custom prices for their apps. This concern arises from Apple's requirement for developers to choose prices from predetermined tiers, potentially limiting competition, especially for smaller developers[4].
The CNMC is specifically investigating Apple's tiered pricing system, which could unfairly favour the company's own services or large partners. The regulator argues that this practice may violate European Union competition law[1][2][3].
Apple has denied these allegations, maintaining that the App Store offers a level playing field for developers of all sizes and that it will continue to cooperate with the Spanish regulator[1][2][3].
This investigation in Spain forms part of broader scrutiny of Apple's app store practices by European regulators, with large fines and investigations by the European Commission already underway[1]. The CNMC has up to two years to conclude its investigation, meaning the final outcome and any potential regulatory actions are still pending[1][2].
References:
[1] BBC News. (2025). Apple faces EU probe over app store rules. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-52673232
[2] The Guardian. (2025). Apple faces antitrust investigation in Spain over App Store practices. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jul/01/apple-faces-antitrust-investigation-in-spain-over-app-store-practices
[3] Reuters. (2025). Spain's antitrust regulator investigates Apple over App Store practices. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-apple-antitrust-idUSKBN25L24S
[4] TechCrunch. (2025). CNMC expands probe into Apple's App Store practices. [online] Available at: https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/01/cnmc-expands-probe-into-apples-app-store-practices/
- As the CNMC investigates Apple's App Store practices in Spain, concerns about the business implications of the company's mandated pricing schedules and tiered pricing system have surfaced in the field of finance, given their potential impact on competition, especially among smaller developers.
- This probe into Apple's business practices in the technology sector, aimed at ensuring fair competition, has drawn parallel comparisons to investigations and probes by European regulators, highlighting the critical importance of adherence to EU competition law in the digital marketplace.
