EU 'looking at' Apple practices following queries

European Union competition watchdogs said Friday they were "looking into" potential anti-trust issues at iPad and iPhone giant Apple, following queries raised by telecommunications operators. "The European Commission has been made aware of Apple distribution practices for iPads and iPhones," a spokesman for EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia told a regular news briefing. He said there had been "no formal complaints" lodged with the authority, but added that inspectors were "looking into" the issues raised. "Samsung's growing market position and the success of Google (operating system Android) gives good reason to believe there is healthy competition" in this market, Antoine Colombani told journalists. "We will of course intervene if there are indications of anti-competitive behaviour," he emphasised. The queries were raised by mobile telephone operators based on commercial terms negotiated by Apple. EU authorities earlier this month fined Microsoft 561 million euros ($730 million) for failing to provide customers with a choice of Internet browser. Brussels is also reviewing proposals from Google aimed at ending a probe into its dominance of online search advertising platforms as part of a determined drive into the information and communications technology (ICT) sector.