Apple violated a U.S. court order that required the iPhone maker to allow greater competition for app downloads and payment methods in its lucrative App Store and will be referred to federal prosecutors,

The judge hammered Apple for violating a ruling over restrictions in its App Store. The case was referred to federal prosecutors for a criminal contempt investigation.

The judge in Epic v. Apple has banned Apple from charging a commission on purchases made outside the App Store because of its ongoing anticompetitive behavior.