The technology company is facing investigations into its App Store from the European Commission, after complaints from music streaming company Spotify, and in the UK.

It is also appealing against a ruling in a court case in California against the developer of Fortnite, Epic Games, over the App Store fees it charges. The court had ruled Apple could no longer prevent app developers from adding links to external payment sites into their -services, potentially bypassing its fees.

In March, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority launched an inquiry into the tech company’s App Store. The inquiry is expected to continue gathering evidence until November. The regulator said developers had complained that Apple’s rules “mean they can only distribute their apps to iPhones and iPads via the App Store”.

The European Commission is currently debating a new Digital Markets Act, which Apple says could force technology companies to allow apps to be installed from other sources. In June, Apple’s chief executive Tim Cook attacked rules, saying the legislation would “force sideloading” and “destroy the security of the iPhone”.

Meanwhile, Apple could be forced to slash production of 10 million iPhones this year as chip shortages hit its latest products. The smartphone maker had been planning to produce 90 million new iPhone 13 models in the final quarter, but has scaled back its targets because -suppliers are struggling to deliver components.

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The iPhone maker has informed its manufacturers of a shortfall in parts from Broadcom and Texas Instruments, Bloomberg reported, which supply wireless chip parts and display -technology. While Apple’s supply chain is well established and pumps out hundreds of millions of smartphones each year, it has not been immune to the global chip problems. Apple declined to comment on the shortages.

Telegraph, London

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