EU launches probe of Apple’s takeover of digital app Shazam

BRUSSELS – The European Union is opening an investigation into Apple’s acquisition of song-recognition app Shazam to make sure it doesn’t limit consumer choice too much.

Apple said in December it would buy the maker of the popular song-recognition app, which Apple’s digital assistant Siri had been competing with.

EU Antitrust Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said the initial investigation hopes to “ensure that music fans will continue to enjoy attractive music streaming offers and won’t face less choice as a result of this proposed merger.”

Among other issues, Vestager’s office also worries that Apple would get easy access to sensitive consumer data and lure customers from competitors to its own services.