Apple risks new fines in Europe over Apple Music

According to the Financial Times, the European Union is expected to impose a fine of approximately 500 million euros and a ban on Apple’s anti-competitive rules that hinder app developers.Inform users about cheaper solutions from Apple services.

The EU antitrust investigation was triggered by a complaint filed by Swedish music streaming giant Spotify in 2019. Spotify accused Apple of abusing its dominant position in the app market by imposing unfair restrictions and fees and charges on competitors, especially in the field of music. business. Spotify, Appl’s policiesIt gave an unfair advantage to its own music service, Apple Music, and forced Spotify to raise its prices to its customers.

Apple finds itself facing justice again in Europe

In February 2023, the European Commission, the executive body of the European Union, filed a formal indictment against Apple. Apple’s anti-competitive rules. These rules prevent app developers from linking users to their own websites or other platforms where users can sign up for subscriptions or make purchases, bypassing Apple’s in-app payment system and bypassing the commission of up to 30%. The commission argued that: these rules were unnecessary and harmed competition and consumer choice.

Apple defends App Store rules Claims they are designed to protect user privacy and security and that they apply equally to all developers. Apple also said Spotify’s complaint was unfounded and motivated by its own financial interests. Apple hoped that the Commission would close the case, which it deemed “unfounded”.

But the Commission has not backed down and is now ready to fine and ban Apple. The €500 million fine is well below the maximum possible penalty, which accounts for 10% of Apple’s global annual revenue and could reach almost $40 billion. Still it’s an issueThis is a significant amount that could set a precedent for other antitrust cases against Apple in the EU and elsewhere.