Spotify said that Apple's rules stopped them from telling their users about the benefits of their app, such as how to upgrade, the price of subscriptions, and other perks. But Apple Music, their main rival, had to follow different rules.
By forcing Apple to stop its dodgy behaviour in the EU, the EC is making a radical move to stop being told what to do by US big tech and become concerned about customers and other rivals. It's a simple idea of free markets - customers should know their choices, and customers, not Apple, should decide what to buy, and where, when and how, a spokesman said.
In its bog, Spotify said they were glad the EC took on this critical case but also noted that the details matter. Apple has always ignored laws and court rulings elsewhere in the world. So, they hope the following steps will finally resolve Apple's unfair practices.
Spotify said the internet should be a fair and open place for everyone.
"That's what made it grow, innovate and discover new things. Today, most people use the internet on their phones. So why should Apple get to make the rules? And while they're happy that this case brings some justice, it doesn't fix Apple's bad behaviour towards developers in other areas worldwide. They said they won't stop until they get a truly fair digital market everywhere, and they're determined to make it happen," the music outfit said.
The EC said: "Apple's conduct, which lasted for almost ten years, may have led many iOS users to pay significantly higher prices for music streaming subscriptions because of the high commission fee imposed by Apple on developers and passed on to consumers in the form of higher subscription prices for the same service on the Apple App Store. Moreover, Apple's anti-steering provisions led to non-monetary harm in the form of a degraded user experience: iOS users either had to engage in a cumbersome search before they found their way to relevant offers outside the app or they never subscribed to any service because they did not find the right one on their own."
Apple's blog complains that the only winner out of the EC ruling is Spotify, which already controls half of the EU music business and will take a more significant slice without Apple doing what it does.