EU antitrust regulators have narrowed their ongoing case against Apple and its use of the iOS App Store.

The regulator has dropped its case against Apple for requiring developers to use its own in-app payment system. Instead, it will focus on the App Store rules which prevent developers from informing users of other purchasing options.

The regulator did not say why it was dropping this aspect of the suit, but described the so-called anti-steering obligations as being in violation of EU rules against unfair trading conditions. It said that they are "neither necessary nor proportionate for the provision of the App Store on iPhones and iPads" and "are detrimental to users of music streaming services on Apple's mobile devices who may end up paying more".

Apple has long been criticised for its App Store terms of service, including its policy of taking a 30 per cent cut of in-app purchases from developers who make over $1 million per year. As such many major platforms like Netflix and Spotify do not accept payments on their iOS apps, but Apple also has a policy which stops these developers from telling users that they can make purchases elsewhere.

While Apple will be pleased with this latest news, a new EU tech law – the Digital Markets Act (DMA) – will be implemented from 1 May and explicitly outlaws both practices. Companies found to be in violation of the DMA could receive fines of up to 10 per cent of their annual global turnover.

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