Spotify: Apple has defied EU by blocking update with pricing info

Spotify: Apple has defied EU by blocking update with pricing info is profiled by BTW Media because published evidence links it to internet infrastructure, governance, operational dependencies, or market visibility.

• Spotify, an audio streaming company, announced on Thursday that Apple had rejected its updated version of the iOS app that included in-app pricing information for users in the European Union.
• Apple didn’t approve the update due to Spotify including price information and instructions on how to sign up outside the App Store.
• Last month, Apple was hit with a $2 billion fine in the EU for “abusive” App Store rules for music streaming services.

Spotify, an audio streaming company, submitted a new version of its app to Apple with basic pricing and website information, which is a minimum requirement under the European Commission’s ruling in its music streaming case, according to a post on X on Wednesday. However, Apple has rejected Spotify’s new version of its iOS app, Spotify said on Thursday.

About Spotify’s new version of Apple’s iOS app

Spotify restated its opinion yesterday, claiming that Apple wants to “punish developers with new fees” to comply with EU regulations requiring the use of an alternate payment method. The music behemoth decided to stick with the outdated App Store system and submit an update for this reason.

However, Apple didn’t approve the update – due to Spotify including price information and instructions on how to sign up outside the App Store – saying it would need to request an entitlement and pay Apple a 27% commission.

Spotify claims it shouldn’t be required to obtain an entitlement and pay the commission because it didn’t include a link in its most recent update submission. Furthermore, it shouldn’t be made to “communicate with consumers through in-app links” by using an entitlement and a link.

After Spotify agreed to the terms of the Music Streaming Services Entitlement in the European Economic Area (EEA), Apple said it would approve the updated version of the app and resubmit it for review.

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“Apple has once again defied the European Commission’s decision, rejecting our update for attempting to communicate with customers about our prices unless we pay Apple a new tax. Their disregard for consumers and developers is matched only by their disdain for the law,” a spokesperson for Spotify said in a statement.

Apple was fined $2 billion by the European Union last month for having “abusive” App Store policies regarding music streaming services. The European Commission ordered Apple to loosen its anti-steering regulations in addition to the fine. Apple is appealing the decision, though, having rejected it.