The Apple and Spotify case has been ongoing for quite a while now, but a new $2 billion ruling against Apple is in place. This ruling came from the EU after years of tossing over in-app payments and the extreme charges of Apple levels on service providers like Spotify. Apple on its part is not in favour of this ruling, as it argues that its mode of operation on in-app payments isn’t anticompetitive.
However, Spotify praises the court for coming to this decision and fining the tech giant. The streaming service provider laid a complaint on Apple, restricting payments for services by users to the App Store. By doing this, Apple was ensuring that they could retain the charges they place on each payment that users of accessing services from the likes of Spotify.
While this move from Apple was helping its business, it was detrimental to the businesses of service providers that use the App Store. The EU is now referring to this move from Apple as a constituent of unfair trading conditions. Now, a fine of $2 billion has been placed on the tech giant for not letting Spotify offer users more payment options outside the App Store.
Following this decision, Apple’s stocks saw a drastic 3.2% drop, further hurting the tech giant. Well, this Apple and Spotify case isn’t over yet as the tech giant looks to appeal the case. Apple argues that the decision came without any proof that its actions are harmful to consumers.
While Apple hopes to appeal the EU court’s decision, it might need to wait for a few years. Within this waiting period, the tech giant will need to pay the fine and comply with all EU regulations. This will involve letting Spotify give all its users in Apple’s ecosystem more payment options outside the App Store.