Apple Facing Potential FTC Inquiry
Here at ATLB, we have previously discussed Apple restricting the programming tools that could be used to create Apps for the iPhone and the iPad. Most notably, Flash based programs were restricted which sparked a PR war between Apple and Adobe. Now it appears that the FTC is seriously considering whether to look into these potentially anti-competitive practices.
The Federal Trade Commission and the US Justice Department, which enforce US antitrust law, are each looking into Apple’s restrictions. No decision has been made to move forward with an official investigation.
“What they’re [Apple] doing is clearly anticompetitive ... They want one superhighway and they’re the tollkeeper on that superhighway,” said David Balto, a former policy director for the commission.
It should be noted that only an inquiry has been mentioned as opposed to a full-scale investigation. There will still need to be hearings and further discussion before an investigation is launched. But at the very least, this will provide Adobe with ammunition in its ever-escalating PR battle against Apple and Steve Jobs.
