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Apple could face US antitrust probe into App Store, report says

A report says the DOJ and state attorneys general could be looking into Apple's "ironclad" control of its App Store.

Erin Carson Former Senior Writer
Erin Carson covered internet culture, online dating and the weird ways tech and science are changing your life.
Expertise Erin has been a tech reporter for almost 10 years. Her reporting has taken her from the Johnson Space Center to San Diego Comic-Con's famous Hall H. Credentials
  • She has a master's degree in journalism from Syracuse University.
Erin Carson
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Apple sound be the subject of a DOJ probe. 

Getty Images

The Department of Justice and a group of state attorneys general are considering launching an antitrust probe into Apple's App Store, Politico reported Wednesday. The DOJ and state officials have reportedly spoken to several companies that are "unhappy with Apple's ironclad control" of the App Store. 

Apple and the DOJ did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 

Earlier in June, Europe's Competition Commission announced two antitrust probes against Apple, looking into the App Store as well as Apple Pay. The company said it follows the law and embraces competition. 

Apple also recently found itself in dispute with developer Basecamp over its Hey email app. Basecamp said Apple rejected bug fixes to the app because the developer didn't offer an in-app option to purchase the $99 per year service. Apple pointed out that the Hey app lacked functionality when downloaded -- you'd have to visit the company's website to sign up. 

The app has since been approved, after Hey added a free option, and Apple on Monday said it will no longer stop bug fixes for apps already in the store for "guideline violations."

This follow's Apple's virtual WWDC event Monday in which it announced iOS 14, as well as MacOS Big Sur and its new Arm-based chips. 

Watch this: First take: iOS 14 and all its new features