Spotify sued Apple in 2019Using unfair tactics to influence market competition, the European Commission seems toA final ruling will be made on this, it is possible that Apple will be required to pay a fine of 10% of its total annual turnover.
According to sources, the European Commission's final ruling is expected to be officially announced early next year, and the result may be unfavorable to Apple.
If the EU's currently proposed Digital Markets Directive (DMA) is followed, Apple, in the past, has required developers and service providers to distribute iOS platform apps through the App Store on the grounds of App Store platform service operation and security. At the same time, they can only conduct in-app transactions through the Apple payment system. Otherwise, the app will be removed from the shelves or the service will not be able to be released on the iOS platform. It may be at a disadvantage because of the new EU law.
The European Commission conducted an investigation into Spotify's allegations in 2021. Although Apple opened up paid subscription services to other platforms including Spotify in 2022, it still charged a certain platform service fee. Therefore, Spotify accused this move of still restricting developers and service providers. Therefore, the EU may also determine that Apple is affecting market competition.
In a previous statement, the EU actually also required technology companies such as Apple and Google, which are listed as "gatekeepers", not to limit the distribution of services to their own platforms. Therefore, Apple's practice of requiring app content to be distributed through the App Store will be affected, and companies such as Google will have to allow users to install apps through other third-party software markets or open them up to sideloading.
There are many rumors that Apple has already conceivedHow to cope with new EU regulations, while striking a balance between the existing App Store operating models.
