One of the most popular instant messaging apps, Telegram, has filed a complaint against Apple, claiming it is violating EU antitrust laws. According to its complaint to the European Union Commission, Telegram argues that Apple should allow iOS to download the app from external sources. Until now, iOS users could only download the app through the App Store.
The antitrust complaint filed by Telegram against Apple further details how the messaging company halted the launch of its gaming platform on the App Store because it allegedly violated Apple’s app store rules, the Financial Times. Telegram’s creators halted the entire project as they feared the app would be “deleted from the App Store.”
The company's move comes after a post by Telegram founder Pavel Durov, who railed against Apple, outlined a list of seven myths that Apple uses to justify the 30% commission it takes from the app to host it on the App Store.
This is not the first time a company has filed an antitrust complaint against Apple. Previously, Rakuten and Spotify have also complained to the EU about its App Store policies.
Apple is already under EU scrutiny after the Commission demanded a standard charging port on all devices on the market. Apple responded to the EU statement by saying it was trying to put up barriers to innovation. However, the EU is set to adopt a regulation that would force smartphone manufacturers to have a standard charging port by the third quarter of 2020.
