After EU billion-euro fine against Apple: Spotify may name prices in app
Subscription prices can now be seen in the Spotify iOS app, which was long forbidden by Apple. However, Spotify has reluctantly dispensed with a purchase link.
(Image: Primakov/Shutterstock.com)
Spotify has scored a stage victory in the major competition dispute with Apple. The iOS app will display the prices for Spotify subscriptions on the web in the EU for the first time, as the music streaming service announced on Wednesday. Spotify is thus using a new option that Apple had to set up specifically for music streaming services in the EU and the European Economic Area in response to a billion-euro antitrust fine.
Prices yes, purchase link no
Until now, the Spotify app showed information about the different subscription levels, but did not mention any prices - and did not include any links. "You can't upgrade to Spotify Premium in the app. We know that this is not ideal", it said succinctly. Spotify removed Apple's convenient in-app purchase interface from the iOS app years ago so that Apple could no longer automatically retain up to 30 percent commission on every Spotify subscription.
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Since Wednesday, the various subscription prices and a Spotify promotion have appeared prominently in the app. However, users can still not buy or subscribe directly from the app; Spotify refers users to its own website to make a purchase. The streaming service deliberately avoids links: if a link is provided to the external purchase option, Apple demands a 27% commission - including on purchases made on the web.
Despite the EU Commission's antitrust fine, Apple continues to demand "illegal and predatory taxes", Spotify notes, and the battle continues. The streaming service is indirectly calling on the EU Commission to enforce its decision against Apple.
Billion-euro fine against Apple
Such price information and references to external offers have long been strictly prohibited by Apple for app providers and developers – and sometimes still are. This rule constitutes an abuse of market power, Brussels decided in March after an investigation lasting several years and imposed a record fine of 1.8 billion euros. However, this specifically only concerned the music streaming market. Apple is contesting the decision. The Digital Markets Act also prohibits gatekeepers such as Apple from imposing such silence clauses on their own platform.
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