the battle for price information continues

The main point of conflict? Apple wants Spotify to adopt updated rules on Music Streaming Services Entitlement. This, in practice, would mean that Spotify would continue to pay Apple a 30% commission on purchases made directly in the application.

Spotify refuses to pay “tax” to Apple

Naturally, Spotify disagrees and does not intend to adopt these changes imposed by the Cupertino company. Representative Jeanne Moran doesn’t mince words: “Apple has once again challenged the European Commission’s decision. The company rejected our update because we tried to communicate with customers about our pricing unless we paid Apple a new tax.”

It is worth remembering that the European Union recently implemented the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which aims to balance competition in the technology sector. One of the DMA’s initiatives precisely requires Apple to allow other applications to offer subscriptions without having to pay the 30% commission to the “apple”.

European users on iOS are harmed

Apple considers, however, that its internal rules override European legislation, thus maintaining the same policy with Spotify. The result is that Spotify users on iOS in the European Union will have to visit the streaming service’s website to obtain more advantageous prices.

“Apple continues to violate European law,” Spotify said in a statement. “And unfortunately, that means we still can’t provide EU consumers with the information they need and the options they deserve on our app.”

And how does Apple position itself?

Apple’s official response to Spotify has been released. According to spokeswoman Hannah Smith, the company states that “this right [à comissão] is required even if the application does not include an external link (or require you to provide an external link). However, we will approve version 8.9.33 after you accept the Music Streaming Services Entitlement (EEA) terms and resubmit it for review.”

In other words, even though Spotify does not offer in-app subscription, Apple intends to continue charging the commission. This is because, from the perspective of Californian technology, Spotify will always be profiting thanks to the iOS operating system and the vast audience that uses it.

Battle with unpredictable outcome

Interestingly, the latest version of the application sent by Spotify for analysis does not even contain a direct shortcut to subscriptions on its website. It is, at the very least, a bold move that aims to force Apple to comply with the DMA, thus avoiding the dreaded commission.

This is a struggle that is expected to be long, and whose end is far from predictable. It now remains to wait for Apple’s response and see if we will finally see Spotify offering clear and accurate information about subscriptions within its app, or if the company will remain firm in its demands.

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