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Spotify submitted a new version of its iOS app with in-app pricing information for users in the European Union about how much they\u2019ll pay for subscriptions made outside of Apple\u2019s payment system \u2014 but Apple has stonewalled it again.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Spotify says Apple rejected the request because it won\u2019t request an entitlement and pay Apple the commission it takes from purchases made from external links. As part of an EU ruling from earlier this year, Apple must allow music streaming apps to include external purchase links. However, Apple\u2019s updated rules<\/a> say app developers will need to use the Music Streaming Services Entitlement (EEA), and that it\u2019s still taking a commission from these purchases.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Apple spokesperson Hannah Smith provided the message sent from Apple to Spotify, which says, \u201c…this entitlement is required even if your app does not include an external link (nor does it require that you offer an external link). We will, however, approve version 8.9.33 after you accept the terms of the Music Streaming Services Entitlement (EEA) and resubmit it for review.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n According to TechCrunch<\/em><\/a>, the latest version of the app doesn\u2019t contain a direct link to subscription plans on Spotify\u2019s website, something the company hoped would allow it to skirt the 30 percent cut Apple takes on subscriptions made via the App Store. Instead, EU users will be directed to manually visit Spotify\u2019s website via a web browser in order to purchase cheaper subscription plans.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n A previous version of the app that did<\/em> contain website links was submitted by Spotify last month<\/a>. Apple didn\u2019t approve the update and \u201cneither acknowledged nor responded\u201d to the submission, according to Spotify. The company says the latest version it was trying to get approved features the \u201cbare minimum\u201d pricing and website information, as outlined under the European Commission ruling that fined Apple \u20ac1.84 billion<\/a> (about $2 billion).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cApple has once again defied the European Commission\u2019s decision, rejecting our update for attempting to communicate with customers about our prices unless we pay Apple a new tax,\u201d Spotify spokesperson Jeanne Moran tells The Verge<\/em>. \u201cTheir disregard for consumers and developers is matched only by their disdain for the law.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The EU\u2019s ruling followed a four-year investigation into App Store rules that prevented music services from advertising cheaper subscription deals outside of the iOS platform. That investigation, itself spurred by an antitrust complaint Spotify raised in 2019<\/a> over the 30 percent \u201cApple Tax,\u201d found that Apple had \u201cabused its dominant position in the market\u201d by preventing developers from telling their customers about cheaper alternative services. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n The ruling means Apple needs to let music streaming developers freely communicate with their own users. Apple will also still need to approve Spotify\u2019s latest app submission before EU customers can see updated pricing information. \u201cIt\u2019s past time for the Commission to enforce its decision so that consumers can see real, positive benefits,\u201d said Spotify\u2019s chief public affairs officer, Dustee Jenkins.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The EU\u2019s antitrust case is separate from the above-mentioned DMA regulations, but Apple has lashed out against both decisions, saying it would appeal the $2 billion fine. The European Commission has also had to intervene<\/a> in getting Apple to reverse its decision to revoke Epic Games\u2019 developer license<\/a> after Epic CEO and longtime Apple critic Tim Sweeney called the company\u2019s DMA compliance plans \u201chot garbage.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n