Apple trust trouble

Germany’s antitrust regulator said Monday that it has opened a far-reaching investigation into whether Apple uses its wide variety of products to squash competition, adding to the company’s regulatory woes.

Germany’s Federal Cartel Office — which also has opened investigations into Facebook, Amazon and Google so far this year — will use its investigative powers to see if Apple is engaging in “anti-competitive practices” across its various business lines, the regulator said.

Apple also is facing an antitrust investigation from the European Union over the company’s practice of forcing developers to use its own payments system for purchases made within apps.