European Union Revises Restrictions On Apple's Anti-Mutual Application Developers

Apple has abused its dominant position. (photo: dock. apple)

JAKARTA - The European Union Commission is now changing its new focus on Apple's antitrust App Store case. Set in an updated objection list, based on ongoing cases over App Store rules for music streaming service providers like Spotify.

An antitrust investigation into Apple opened by the European Union Commission in 2020 after Spotify complained about Apple's licensing agreement in 2019. Where app developers will have to pay a commission of 30 percent for all subscription fees coming on the App Store.

Then at this time, the European Union Commission revised its initial objections to Apple that had been issued in 2021. The statement initially accused Apple of abusing its dominant position by imposing its own in-app payment technology on music streaming developers.

In addition, Apple also limits the ability of developers to notify iOS users of other music subscription services available when registering outside the App Store.

Subscriptions can sometimes be charged an additional fee when starting via the App Store compared to live on the app's website, as developers seek to offset Apple's costs by 15 percent to 30 percent for in-app subscriptions.

The European Union Commission called Apple anti-driving and trading conditions unfair at the time, violating EU antitrust laws.

The rules are said to harm users of music streaming services on Apple mobile devices, considering they may pay more and have a negative impact on the interest of music streaming app developers by limiting effective consumer choices.

"Today, the European Commission sent a clear message that Apple's anti-competitive behavior and unfair practices have been detrimental to consumers and disadvantaged developers for too long," Spotify's general adviser, Eve Constant said in a statement.

"We urge the Commission to make quick decisions in this case to protect consumers and restore fair competition on the iOS platform," he added.

If Apple is found to have violated EU law, Apple could be fined up to 10 percent of its annual revenue worldwide.

However, if the EU Commission further cancels these anti-driving rules and changes are made, app developers like Spotify and Netflix could notify customers of cheaper alternatives to the App Store later.

It is unclear whether the same rules will apply to the Google Play Store, which insists on similar restrictions. In response to this, Apple said it was quite happy with the European Union Commission's decision and would better understand them.

"Apple will continue to work closely with the European Commission to understand and respond to their concerns, while promoting competition and choice for European consumers," Apple said, quoted by MacRumors, Wednesday, March 1.

"We are pleased that the Commission has narrowed its case and is no longer challenging Apple's right to charge commissions for digital goods and requires the use of a user-trusted In-App system. The App Store has helped Spotify become the top music streaming service across Europe and we hope the European Commission will end inappropriate complaints," he added.

Spotify no longer allows subscribers to subscribe via its iPhone app. A message in the app's Premium tab tells customers they can't upgrade to Premium in the app.

The tab does not provide any external information or link related to subscriptions on the Spotify website.