Apple faces antitrust probe in Mexico over App Store charges

Apple and Google could face another antitrust probe from Mexican regulators after a former telecom executive filed a complaint against the tech giant on Friday. Mony de Swaan Addati filed a complaint with Mexico's telecom regulator on Thursday, accusing Apple and Google of "abusing their app store monopoly by forcing the use of their own payment services for in-app payments, thereby completely inhibiting competition." The complaint Allegedly, the Google Play Store and Apple's App Store charge 15% to 20% commissions, which in turn force prices up. Addati was previously the head of the Telecom Union, which existed before it was replaced by IFT. He claims, Mexico's competition watchdog has refused to investigate the matter, prompting it to turn to IFT in this matter. Addati said: "I have full confidence that (IFT) will investigate and exercise its powers in accordance with international best practice to enable these Companies stop abusing their market power to the detriment of developers and consumers. "If the complaint initiates an investigation process, it will be the latest regulatory case in yet another country where Apple and other tech companies will face, with a number of other regulators around the world looking at Apple's various activities within the app ecosystem. For example, in the UK , the Competition and Markets Authority said in June that it would investigate the duopoly of Apple and Google's app stores. In Europe, EU antitrust regulators believe Apple violated competition law by unfairly giving Apple Music advantages, among other claims. In August, developers in France launched a class-action lawsuit against Apple over App Store fees and policies.