According to NYPost.com, the Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission have locked horns over which of the watchdogs will lead the inquiry, that will look into Apple’s new policy of requiring software developers who devise applications for devices such as the iPhone and iPad to use only Apple’s programming tools.
The inquiry will also focus on whether the policy kills competition by forcing programmers to choose between developing apps that can run only on Apple gizmos or come up with apps that are platform neutral that can be used on a variety of operating systems such as those from Google, Microsoft and Research In Motion.
Apple says the rule is in place to ensure the quality of the apps it sells to customers.
If the agency in charge of the inquiry decides to launch an investigation, a subpoena would be issued to Apple seeking information about the policy.