Bad news for Apple: Spotify can bypass App Store restrictions in Europe

A large-scale battle between Spotify And Manzana Due to the App Store blocking, I was going to write a new chapter. In accordance with BloombergThe European Commission will ban Cupertino from preventing the music streaming platform from using alternative subscription methods in its iPhone and iPad app store.

Regulators will finalize an order that blocks what Spotify considers Apple’s anti-competitive practices in favor of Apple Music. This will be announced in early 2024. Californians also face a possible fine of up to 10% of their annual sales in the European Union.

However, it is worth clarifying that this measure will not only allow Spotify to bypass App Store restrictions. This also applies to other streaming platforms that compete with Apple Music. If the European Commission’s decision is implemented, music services will be able to sign up new users from their iOS or iPadOS apps. without having to pay the 30% commission that Cupertino residents charge on every purchase. in the application.

Regulators have been building this blockade of the rules that Apple imposes through the App Store for almost 10 months. At the end of February, they decided to change the focus to the measures taken by the Cupertino authorities. In this sense, the European Commission stopped analyzing whether what the blockers were doing was legal or not, to focus on the fact that forcing developers to use their subscription system prevented the public from accessing services like Spotify and similar at the lowest possible price. price.

Spotify May Use Alternative Subscription Methods on iPhone and iPad

If the Apple App Store ban goes into effect in 2024, Spotify wins decisive victory. It is true that the decision would not only be in favor of the Swedish company, but the reality is that this whole problem was caused by its complaints and protests against the representatives of Cupertino.

Spotify began its crusade against App Store restrictions in 2016. Then he accused Apple of harming competition in favor of Apple Music. After years of disputes between the companies, the European Commission decided on this issue in 2021.

Regulators sided with Spotify, realizing that Californians were abusing their dominant position. Not only because they forced the streaming platform to use the App Store subscription system and pay a 30% commission, but also because his measures anti-steering prevented users from being informed about the existence of alternative and cheaper payment methods.

Shortly after, Apple allowed users of “content viewing” apps to link to external sites to register or manage their account. However, the restrictions introduced through the App Store remain unchanged.

Actually, Spotify today doesn’t allow you to sign up new subscribers from its iPhone or iPad app. Although it is logical to think that this may change in the not too distant future. Everything will depend on what the European Commission says and whether Apple follows through on a possible blocking of its actions through its app store.