The tech giant has been given the opportunity to review the investigation’s preliminary findings, and it can avoid a monster fine if it comes back with a proposal which is satisfactory to the EU.

The European Commission says that developers should be able to freely tell customers when there are cheaper app stores available beyond the one run by Apple.

The firm charges developers an average of 30% commission on its App Store.

Previously, it was told to allow alternatives in the EU in March.

“We have reason to believe that the App Store rules not allowing app developers to communicate freely with their own users is in breach of the DMA,” said EU Commissioner Thierry Breton.

The Commission also alleges that Apple’s fees “go beyond what is strictly necessary”.

In response, Apple said it has made changes in the past few months to ensure it complies with the DMA.

“We estimate more than 99% of developers would pay the same or less in fees to Apple under the new business terms we created,” it said in a statement.

“All developers doing business in the EU on the App Store have the opportunity to utilize the capabilities that we have introduced, including the ability to direct app users to the web to complete purchases at a very competitive rate.”

Another of Apple’s main arguments is that users benefit from strong security measures by sticking to the official App Store.

In response, the Commission says it will happily discuss security issues.