Apple’s App Store Draws E.U. Antitrust Charge

By forcing app developers to use its payment system and comply with other rules, regulators said Apple broke European Union competition laws.

European Union regulators on Friday accused Apple of violating antitrust laws by imposing unfair rules and fees on the makers of games, dating services, music platforms and other apps that depend on its App Store to reach customers. Amid growing scrutiny of the tech industry worldwide, the case will be an important test of a government's ability to force one of Silicon Valley’s most powerful companies to change its behavior. Europe is seen as a global bellwether on tech policy, but Apple has vowed to fight the charges. With its ability to make or break the business of app developers, Apple is one of the digital economy’s most important gatekeepers. Any app downloaded to an iPhone or iPad — from Tinder, to Instagram, to Candy Crush — must comply with the company’s rules and guidelines, including using Apple’s payment system and sharing up to 30 percent on any sales. If not, a company risks losing access to millions of Apple customers.