Italy Fines Apple 170 Billion Won for "Abusing Dominant Position in App Market"

"App Tracking Transparency Feature, Unfair Competition"

The Italian competition authority (AGCM) has imposed a fine of 98 million euros (approximately 170 billion won) on Apple, citing abuse of its dominant market position.

According to AFP and other foreign media on December 22 (local time), the Italian authorities announced that "Apple violated personal data protection regulations regarding third-party developers in the App Store market, where it holds a dominant position."

In April 2021, Apple introduced the 'App Tracking Transparency' feature, which requires apps to obtain prior consent when using users' personal information, such as site usage history.

The authorities determined that this feature undermines fair competition. They explained that while third-party apps are forced to go through complicated consent procedures, Apple created a favorable advertising and search environment for its own apps.

Previously, in March, France also fined Apple 150 million euros (approximately 260 billion won), finding that the App Tracking Transparency feature undermined fair competition.

Other European competition authorities, including those in Romania and Poland, are also investigating similar allegations of Apple abusing its dominant position in the app market.