Apple bans music streaming app developers from fully educating iOS users about alternative subscription services available outside of the app, saying a public opinion of the EU Commission

In a press release on Monday, the EU Commission said its investigation found that “Apple bans music streaming app developers from fully informing iOS users about alternative and cheaper music subscription services available outside of the app,” in addition to preventing app providers from sharing instructions on how to subscribe to such offers.

The commission took into account Apple’s total turnover and market value while setting the fine, and also included incorrect information that was submitted byApple during the administrative procedure.

Apple made some concessions. In 2021, it said that developers could advertise payment methods outside of the iOS app via communications such as email. Then, in early 2022, it started allowing developers to link out to their own sites from within the iOS apps themselves. The first change only applied to so-called “reader apps” for the services that were designed to give access to digital content and the developers had to request an entitlement before they could add an external link. Apple’s rule changes were accused of being “just for show” by the streaming service.

Although Spotify CEO Daniel Ek has expressed disapproval of Apple’s business tactics, he’s also something of a reluctant figurehead in Europe’s fight against Apple. The self-described introvert has adopted the role of spokesperson for disgruntled European app developers, who finally feel their complaints about big tech are finally being heard.

On Monday Ek posted a video on X which he termed Apple a threat to the open internet. He stated that Apple wants to close down the internet and make it theirs, so they should be able to dictate what the user experience should be. Apple wants to impose a tax on Spotify while exempting it’s own service, Apple Music, according to Ek.