Apple was lately fined 1.8 billion euros (about $2 billion USD) by the European Union fee, which argues that the corporate abuses its dominant place to hurt Apple Music rivals on iOS. Even so, plainly the corporate nonetheless has unresolved points with Spotify, its major competitor, which is now accusing Apple of blocking its app updates within the EU.
Spotify says Apple is obstructing its app updates within the EU
Because the Digital Markets Act (DMA) got here into impact on March 7, 2024, builders can lastly distribute their apps to iOS customers outdoors the App Retailer within the EU. And even for apps accessible on Apple’s App Retailer, new guidelines make sure that builders can use various fee strategies for in-app purchases.
Spotify submitted an replace of its iOS app to Apple on March 5. With this replace, the platform fully eliminated subscriptions utilizing the App Retailer’s in-app buy system. As a substitute, customers at the moment are prompted to go to Spotify’s web site to subscribe.
Nonetheless, in an electronic mail from Spotify to the EU Fee seen by The Verge, the corporate accuses Apple of not having authorised this replace since then. “It’s been 9 days now and we’re nonetheless ready to listen to from Apple about our app submission to point out EU customers pricing and a hyperlink to our web site,” the e-mail reads.
Spotify spokeswoman Jeanne Moran says Apple’s delay “straight conflicts with their declare that they flip round evaluations on app submissions inside 24 hours, and it additionally flies within the face of the timeline for adoption the Fee laid out.” When requested, Apple declined to remark.
It’s common to see Apple holding again and delaying the approval of apps within the App Retailer due to one thing they don’t agree with. Nonetheless, plainly not even the $2 billion positive has modified the corporate’s thoughts about Spotify. It’s value noting that the EU has dominated that Apple can’t cease builders from telling customers about various fee strategies of their apps.
Builders towards Apple
Earlier this month, Spotify and dozens of different corporations despatched a letter to the EU Fee complaining about “Apple’s lack of DMA compliance.” After the EU mentioned it will proceed investigating Apple in relation to DMA, the corporate relaxed a few of its new pointers for distributing apps outdoors the App Retailer.
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