BRUSSELS, March 7 (Reuters) - Apple ( AAPL ) has been

asked to explain why it prevented Fortnite video-game maker Epic

Games from launching its own online marketplace on iPhones and

iPads in Europe and whether this breaches EU technology rules,

EU antitrust regulators said on Thursday.

"We have requested further explanations on this from Apple ( AAPL )

under the DMA (Digital Markets Act)," a European Commission

spokesperson said in an email.

"We are also evaluating whether Apple's ( AAPL ) actions raise doubts

on their compliance with the DSA (Digital Services Act) and the

P2B (Platform to Business Regulation), given the links between

the developer programme membership and the App store as

designated VLOP (very large online platform)."