Turkish regulator launches investigation into Apple’s App Store practices

Turkey’s competition authority said on Thursday it had launched an investigation into Apple’s contractual agreements with app developers and the company’s refusal to allow alternative payment systems in the App Store. The investigation is part of a broader review of mobile smart devices and their associated software, the authority said in a statement.

This investigation in Turkey is another of the growing legal challenges Apple is facing around the world over its App Store developer fees. These issues have raised eyebrows among both regulators and developers, who argue that Apple’s policies stifle competition and innovation.

In a similar case, a British judge ruled in April that a $1 billion lawsuit filed against Apple by 1,500 technology developers could proceed. The lawsuit, led by economist and competition law professor Sean Ennis, was first announced in July last year. Ennis claimed Apple’s commissions were “excessive” and a product of the company’s monopoly on app distribution on iPhones and iPads.

Related: Apple introduces changes to App Store policies under EU mandate

“The fees are inherently unfair and represent abusive pricing,” Ennis said at the time. “They harm both app developers and app buyers.”

However, Apple defended its approach, pointing out that 85% of developers in its App Store do not pay commission. The company also highlighted its role in helping European developers reach customers in 175 countries around the world.