Key TakeawaysApple has been asked to stop geo-blocking its services on apps like Apple Music, Books, iTunes Store, App Store, and more.Geo-blocking is the practice of restricting certain content based on the location of the user. This kind of discrimination is prohibited in the EU.The tech giant has one month to acknowledge the order and assure its commitment to comply with it.On Tuesday (November 12), the EU asked Apple to stop geo-blocking its services on apps, such as Apple Arcade, App Store, iTunes Store, Apple Music, Books, and Podcasts.Apple has a habit of restricting certain content based on the geographical location of the user. It also has different user interfaces for different countries.Its worth noting, however, that geo-blocking content is a standard practice in the streaming industry. Platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and Disney Plus offer different catalogs for different locations. This is due to varying licensing and copyright deals.Speaking of Apple, it also has a lot of restrictions when it comes to payment methods. Users can only pay with cards that have been issued in their own country or the country from where they registered their Apple account.So, if youre traveling to a different country, you might not be able to download apps if theyre not already available in your country of residence.EUs Stance on Geo-BlockingMany of the above-mentioned geo-blocking practices are not allowed in the EU under the 2018 geo-blocking regulation. The European Commission and Consumer Protection Commission network feel that users should be able to download whatever apps are available in a country even if theyre only traveling or temporarily visiting.Therefore, an investigation was launched, led by Germanys Bundesnetzagentur, Belgiums Directorate General for Economic Inspection, and Irelands Competition and Consumer Protection Commission(CPC), under the supervision of the European Commission (EC).At the end of it, the European Commission issued a warning to Apple and asked it to put a stop to these practices.Speaking about the same, European Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said We are stepping up the fight against geo-blocking. No company, big or small, should unjustly discriminate against customers based on their nationality, place of residence, or place of establishment.Apple has one month to acknowledge the order and ensure it will comply with it. If it fails to do so, national regulators will take necessary measures to ensure enforcement.Add Techreport to Your Google News Feed Get the latest updates, trends, and insights delivered straight to your fingertips. Subscribe now! Subscribe now Krishi is an eager Tech Journalist and content writer for both B2B and B2C, with a focus on making the process of purchasing software easier for businesses and enhancing their online presence and SEO.Krishi has a special skill set in writing about technology news, creating educational content on customer relationship management (CRM) software, and recommending project management tools that can help small businesses increase their revenue.Alongside his writing and blogging work, Krishi's other hobbies include studying the financial markets and cricket. View all articles by Krishi Chowdhary Our editorial processThe Tech Reporteditorial policyis centered on providing helpful, accurate content that offers real value to our readers. We only work with experienced writers who have specific knowledge in the topics they cover, including latest developments in technology, online privacy, cryptocurrencies, software, and more. Our editorial policy ensures that each topic is researched and curated by our in-house editors. We maintain rigorous journalistic standards, and every article is 100% written byreal authors.