Apple Seeks to Fend off EU Antitrust Charge Triggered by Spotify – News18

BRUSSELS:Apple will on Friday search to fend off a revised EU antitrust cost and doable hefty positive linked to claims it prevents music streaming firms comparable to Spotify from informing customers of different shopping for choices outdoors its App Store.

The iPhone maker will set out its arguments to senior European Commission officers and their friends at nationwide competitors businesses at a closed listening to in Brussels.

EU antitrust enforcers earlier this 12 months boosted their case towards the corporate’s so-known as anti-steering obligations, however dropped an earlier cost towards Apple’s requirement that builders use its in-app fee system.

The Commission mentioned the anti-steering obligations breach EU guidelines towards unfair buying and selling circumstances, a comparatively novel authorized argument in an antitrust case.

Apple has mentioned there is no such thing as a advantage within the case triggered by a Spotify criticism in 2019, pointing to the Swedish music streaming service’s dominant market share in Europe, the place Apple Music trails in third or fourth place in most EU international locations.

Its different argument is that it has revised guidelines to enable reader apps comparable to Spotify and Netflix to embody hyperlinks to their web site for signal-ups and consumer funds, permitting app builders to bypass its controversial 30% App Store payment.

Reader apps present content material comparable to e-books, video and music requiring fee at signal-up.

Spotify, which may also attend the listening to, has rejected Apple’s up to date anti-steering guidelines, saying nothing has modified in any respect. It has urged a speedy resolution from the Commission.

The EU govt mentioned it by no means feedback on doable oral hearings or on their date.

(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – Reuters)