EU Antitrust Commissioner Margret Vestager will reportedly bring antitrust charges against Apple later this week. The Commission has reason to believe that the rules established by the Apple App Store for developers violate EU law. The case began two years ago, when the Swedish music streaming giant Spotify filed a complaint against Apple with the European Union. Spotify accuses Apple of charging it a 30% subscription fee in exchange for the Spotify app in the App Store. In addition, Apple also refuses to inform users of cheaper access methods (Spotify) outside its ecosystem.
The case is one of many against Apple. It is also one of the most high-profile antitrust cases against American technology companies in the European Union. Inside sources say the European Commission plans to file antitrust charges against Apple later this week. However, the commission may also postpone its plans.
Spotify filed a complaint with the European Union against Apple in March 2019. In June of the same year, the European Commission launched an investigation. At the time, Vestager said that Apple appears to have become a "gatekeeper" in the distribution of apps and content to users of iOS devices.
We made Spotify what it is today - Apple
Apple does not have any official statement regarding the latest rumours. However, Apple has previously said that the App Store made Spotify what it is today, a public company. She believes that Spotify only wants to use the App Store, but does not want to contribute anything.
As for Spotify's complaints about the 30% share, Apple responded that Apple doesn't charge for free apps. She claims that 30% only pay for paid subscriptions on the platform. Before that, if the subscription exceeds one year, the ratio will be reduced to 15%.
However, Spotify believes that Apple is treating competitors unfairly and wants to promote its own music streaming service. Spotify claims that Apple's control of its App Store not only deprived consumers of choice, but also deprived other music streaming providers of their rights. Apple did this entirely to service its own music streaming service, Apple Music.
Spotify also said that Apple's voice recognition system, Siri, will not connect iPhone users to Spotify. Additionally, Apple also refuses to allow Spotify to run apps on its Apple Watch.
