European regulators want to question Apple after it blocks Epic Games app store

Epic said Apple had thwarted its attempt to set up its own iOS app marketplace to compete with Apple’s App Store (Niall Carson/PA)

European Union regulators have said they want to question Apple over accusations it blocked video game company Epic Games from setting up its own app store, in a possible violation of digital rules that took effect in the 27-nation bloc on Thursday.

It is a fresh escalation in the high-stakes battle between the two companies. Epic, maker of the popular game Fortnite, has spent years fighting Apple’s exclusive control over the distribution of iPhone apps.