Mon Jan 13 16:11:12 UTC 2025: ## EU Antitrust Regulators Scrutinize Apple’s New App Developer Fee

**BRUSSELS/CUPERTINO** – Apple’s new €0.50 per-app fee, implemented to comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), is facing fresh scrutiny from European Union antitrust regulators. Bloomberg reported Monday that regulators have circulated questionnaires investigating whether the fee, levied on developers for each app installed, will ultimately inflate costs for consumers or force developers to alter their business models.

The inquiry focuses on whether Apple’s claim that the new system will reduce overall costs for developers is accurate. Regulators are also examining whether the fee will be passed on to consumers. This investigation comes as Big Tech companies have lobbied President-elect Donald Trump to challenge EU regulatory actions against American tech firms.

Apple’s shares fell 1.8% in early trading following the news. The company, which maintains that 85% of its App Store developers pay no commission, has yet to comment on the EU’s renewed investigation. The DMA, which aims to regulate the behavior of large tech platforms, allows for fines up to 10% of a company’s annual revenue for non-compliance. The EU’s investigation underscores the ongoing pressure Apple faces from regulators in both the US and Europe regarding its App Store fees.

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