Apple Music facing US anti-trust investigation

Apple Inc. is facing anti-trust investigations by the New York and Connecticut attorney generals offices, it was revealed on Wednesday.

The investigation came days after the company unveiled its new music streaming service Apple Music, which combines a music platform, a social network around musicians and a radio station, that will be available from 30 June.

The new music streaming service will be built on Apple's acquisition of Beats Music, and bundled with iOS 8.4. It will offer unlimited music streaming and a 24-hour online radio station for $9.99 (£6.47) to $15 a month.

It is alleged that Apple may have been pressuring music labels to take music off other catalogues.

Universal Music Group has already responded to the anti-trust inquiry, pointing out it had no agreements with any label to take their music off free apps like Spotify.

"UMG shares the Attorneys General’s commitment to a robust and competitive market for music streaming services in the mutual best interest of consumers, artists, services and content companies alike – and we have a long track record to that effect," the company said in a statement.

The European Commission (EC) has already started a separate investigation into the same issue in April 2015.

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