On April 30, 2021, the European Commission has accused Apple of antitrust behavior, alleging the company abuses its power in the distribution of music streaming apps through its App Store. Specifically, they claim that Apple’s requirement for app developers to use in-app purchase systems (for which Apple charges a 30% commission) and restrictions on app developers from informing users of cheaper ways to purchase subscriptions outside of the app are breaches of the EU’s competition rules.
The accusation comes after a complaint by Spotify in 2019, which claimed that Apple used its App Store to disadvantage Spotify and favor Apple’s own music streaming service, Apple Music. Apple will now have to respond to the European Commission’s Statement of Objections. If the commission concludes that there has been an infringement, it could pose a hefty fine on Apple and force changes to its business model in the European market.
European Union regulators accuse Apple of breaching the bloc’s tech rules
On April 30, 2021, the European Commission has accused Apple of antitrust behavior, alleging the company abuses its power in the distribution of music streaming apps through its App Store. Specifically, they claim that Apple’s requirement for app developers to use in-app purchase systems (for which Apple charges a 30% commission) and restrictions on app developers from informing users of cheaper ways to purchase subscriptions outside of the app are breaches of the EU’s competition rules.
The accusation comes after a complaint by Spotify in 2019, which claimed that Apple used its App Store to disadvantage Spotify and favor Apple’s own music streaming service, Apple Music. Apple will now have to respond to the European Commission’s Statement of Objections. If the commission concludes that there has been an infringement, it could pose a hefty fine on Apple and force changes to its business model in the European market.
