Last month,we were telling you about a new businessinvolving Google and the European Commission. In the context of an anti-competitive practice case concerning its Android mobile operating system. The European Commission imposed a heavy fine of more than 4 billion euros.
The European Union is now tackling another subject, that ofstandardization of chargers. She would like all smartphone manufacturers in Europe to offera micro-USB charger. Which would endanger Apple's proprietary format, the Lightning socket.
In 2009,14 companies, including Applewere committed to usingmicro-USB chargersas standard. In the years that followed, some manufacturers adopted this standard, but not all, notably Apple. The Apple firm preferred to release its own charger format.
After giving the choice, to make the change voluntarily on their side. The European Commission is now consideringforce this standardization of chargers in Europe.
Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager announced “launching a study to evaluate the costs and benefits, various other options“.
These options could benew European laws. According to the European Commission, non-compatible phone chargers inconvenience users. Furthermore, it also represents51,000 tonnes of electronic waste per year in Europe.
Depending on the results of the study, Europe could force all smartphone manufacturers to adopt the same charger standard. And Apple should therefore also comply with the requirements of the EC, under penalty of sanctions.
Apple had already dealt with the European Commission, when the latter ruled that the Irish government hadgranted tax advantages to the apple firm. Apple has been ordered to repay amounts not collected by Ireland, which amount to 16 billion euros.
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By : Keleops AG
Deputy editor-in-chief, also known under the pseudonym Teza. Former video games journalist, who has been immersed in tech and Apple products since his very first iPhone 3GS in 2009. He has since worked for several American tech sites and now for iPhon.fr. Incidentally YouTuber and Apple product specialist on the MobileAddict channel. To contact me: maxime[a]iphon.fr
