EU set to close investigation into Apple's browser options, sources say

The European Union's antitrust regulators are poised to close their year-long investigation into Apple's browser options on iPhones, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The investigation, which was initiated in March 2024 under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), focused on concerns that Apple's design of the iPhone's web browser interface could limit users' ability to easily switch to competing browsers or search engines.

The European Commission had been scrutinizing whether Apple's browser settings gave an unfair advantage to its own browser, Safari, by making it more difficult for users to opt for alternatives. In response to the investigation, Apple implemented changes to its practices to align with the requirements outlined in the DMA, which aims to ensure fair competition in digital markets.

Sources indicated that the European Commission is expected to announce its decision regarding the case early next week, with the possibility of closing the investigation following Apple's compliance with the rules.

This move comes amid a broader push by the EU to regulate the practices of major tech companies under the DMA, which seeks to curb anti-competitive behavior and promote greater choice for consumers in digital services.

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