Spotify Accuses⁣ Apple⁤ of Noncompliance with the Digital Markets Act

Spotify’s ‍CEO, Daniel Ek, ⁤has voiced strong concerns regarding Apple’s​ adherence to the Digital Markets⁣ Act (DMA). ‌He argues that the tech giant from Cupertino is‍ intentionally dragging its feet on compliance and urges the European⁤ Union to take​ decisive action against Apple.

Strong ​Words Against Apple’s Compliance Efforts

Ek didn’t hold back in his‌ criticism, labeling Apple’s‍ attempts ‍at following the DMA as “a farce.” In spite of facing​ a hefty €1.8 ‌billion penalty for ⁢anti-competitive practices in music streaming, it appears that Apple continues⁤ to impose⁤ fees and terms which disadvantage developers working on their platform.

The EU’s Upcoming Decision on Apple’s​ Conduct

According to Teresa Ribera, who oversees competition matters within the EU, a verdict regarding whether‌ Apple ⁢has failed to ​meet compliance standards will be released in March. In response to these allegations, Apple has declared that it has fulfilled its obligations and even​ issued ⁣a white paper addressing concerns about ‍interoperability ​regulations proposed by the EU.

The Ongoing Dispute: A History

The rivalry‌ between⁤ Spotify and Apple traces⁢ back ⁢to legal disputes over specific App‍ Store policies. ⁢Spotify accused Apple of preventing other platforms​ from promoting more affordable alternatives outside​ its iOS ecosystem. This policy‍ effectively coerces ‍users⁤ into purchasing ‍through the ⁣App Store itself, hindering ⁤developers’ ​potential earnings.

Apple’s Defense: Claiming​ Market ⁢Integrity

In defense of its position,‍ Apple contends that Spotify would not maintain such a robust presence in Europe without leveraging resources provided by the App Store. ‍According to them, Spotify benefits⁤ significantly from ‌”Apple’s tools and technologies,” ‌as well as from ⁢”the‌ trust⁣ established by‌ Apple’s brand among users.”

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