Because Of Spotify, Apple Will Be Fined Additional Antitrust Of The European Union

Spotify has complained about Apple's policies for managing in-app payments. (photo: doc. spotify)

JAKARTA - In 2019, Spotify complained about Apple's policies for managing in-app payments, and the complaint affected Apple, which in the coming weeks will face additional antitrust charges from the European Union (EU).

The complaint addresses how Apple charges Spotify and other subscription-based companies a 30 percent fee for in-app purchases, which Spotify says hinders competition between companies competing with Apple Music.

The additional allegations come a year after the European Commission accused Apple of violating competition laws in the music streaming market through its strict App Store rules.

Last year the EU accused the iPhone maker of distorting competition in the music streaming market through strict rules for its App Store, forcing developers to use its own in-app payment system.

Melansie CNET, Tuesday, April 12, Apple also claimed to prevent developers from informing users about other purchase options. Such requirements have also come under scrutiny in countries including the United States (US) and the United Kingdom.

Now, the EU intends to impose additional antitrust fees on objections, something that is usually issued when EU competition enforcers have amended part of their case or found new evidence.

Under new EU technology rules according to the NYPost, dubbed the Digital Markets Act (DMA) agreed last month, such practice is illegal. However, Apple and other US tech giants targeted by the rules will have several years before the crackdown begins.

Companies found violating EU antitrust rules will face fines as much as 10 percent of their global turnover and orders to ditch anti-competitive practices.

In addition to the music streaming investigation, Apple's practices in e-books and its Apple Pay are also in the EU antitrust crosshairs.