from Apple pile of regulatory issues in the European Union ticked again: The iPhone maker is accused of illegally discriminating against consumers by placing restrictions on how many of its media services can be accessed in bulk.

Consumer protection authorities in three EU member states have investigated geo-blocking (access restriction) measures that Apple applies to services including Apple Music, the iTunes Store and the App Store.

The European Commission and the Consumer Protection Cooperation Network (CPC), which coordinates the joint actions of national authorities for consumer protection, announced in a press release On Tuesday, Apple was notified of concerns about “several potentially prohibited geoblocking practices.”

If Apple fails to address the CPC network’s concerns, it could face enforcement of EU consumer protection law, where fines can reach up to 4% of global annual turnover.

The European Union has rules that aim to promote the free movement of services and rules against unjustified geoblocking – both of which are involved here as they prohibit discrimination against consumers based on where they live.

The full list of Apple media services for which CPC network members have raised concerns in Belgium, Germany and Ireland is as follows: App Store, Apple Arcade, Music, iTunes Store, Books and Podcasts.

Issues include:

• Different interfaces for Apple media services in different EU/EEA (European Economic Area) countries that cannot be changed by the user, locking them to the interface shown in the country where their device was registered.
• Restrictions on payment methods for making purchases using Apple media services – again, the company only allows users to use a card issued in the country where their Apple account was registered.
• And App Store download limitations. Users cannot access the local App Store from other countries, which means they cannot access apps offered elsewhere (such as when traveling or during a temporary stay in another Member State).

“The geo-blocking regulation prohibits unjustified discrimination between EU customers on the basis of nationality, residence or place of establishment when they want to buy goods and services from traders located in another member state,” the CPC Network wrote in the press release. “The Services Directive requires that the general conditions of access to a service do not contain discriminatory provisions regarding the nationality or place of residence of the recipient of the service, unless they are directly justified by objective criteria.”

Apple was given one month to respond to the network’s findings and propose commitments to fix the problems.

The intervention could lead to a dialogue between the CPC Network and Apple, which could end the case if Apple makes enough changes to address the concerns, such as removing geoblocks.

However, if Apple does not respond – or if its response is deemed not to fully address the CPC’s concerns – consumer protection authorities could take national enforcement action.

Apple has been contacted for comment.