Germany Will Take Action Against Apple's Market Domination

Bundeskartellamt president Andreas Mundt. (photo: twitter @_Kaari_N ·)

JAKARTA - Germany opened up the possibility of taking action against Apple after the competition watchdog ruled that the market dominance of the technology company from the United States makes it eligible for such action, said in a statement on Wednesday, April 5.

"The Bundeskartellamt regulatory body has determined Apple to be a very important company for cross-market competition", the agency said.

"The company - starting with mobile devices such as the iPhone - is the operator of a comprehensive digital ecosystem with great significance for competition not only in Germany, but also in Europe and around the world," said Bundeskartellamt President Andreas Mundt.

"Based on the decisions of the regulators, they can target practices that harm competition and other practices and effectively prevent them," he added.

Apple said it would continue to work with the cartel's office to understand its concerns, but planned to appeal the decision.

"The (cartel office's) appointment misrepresents the fierce competition Apple faces in Germany, and it ignores the value of a business model that places user privacy and security at its core," an Apple spokesperson said in a statement emailed to Reuters.

German authorities had previously designated Google parent Alphabet and Facebook owner Meta as crucial companies for cross-market competition.