Apple may soon face an investigation over its decision to end iPhone web apps in the European Union, according to a report Financial Times. The European Commission has reportedly sent Apple and app developers requests for more information to help with its evaluation.
“We are indeed looking at the compliance packages of all gatekeepers, including Apple,” the European Commission said in a statement to The Verge under condition spokeswoman Lea Zuber. “In this context, we are specifically looking into the issue of progressive web apps and can confirm sending requests for information to Apple and app developers, who may provide useful information for our assessment.”
When asked for comment, Apple indicated The Verge to your support page about the change.
Introducing web app support for other browsers would require the company to build “a completely new integration architecture,” which it says “wasn’t practical to undertake given the other requirements of the DMA.” The company also cited “very low user adoption” and potential security risks as reasons for the change.
App developers refuse to take down web apps. Open Web Advocacy, a non-profit organization that advocates for the open web, is conducting a survey to see how the change will affect developers. He plans to send the answers to the European Commission.
Update Feb. 26, 12:03 p.m. ET: Added announcement from the European Commission.