Spotify has raised concerns over Apple's alleged insufficient compliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). CEO Daniel Ek expressed frustration over what he perceives as delays and stalling tactics on Apple's part, calling on the European Union to take decisive action to enforce compliance with the new law.
Ek criticized Apple's current attempts to align with the DMA, labeling them as "a farce." He pointed out that despite facing a substantial €1.8 billion fine for antitrust violations in the music streaming sector, Apple continues to impose fees and conditions that disadvantage app developers.
Teresa Ribera, the competition chief of the EU, has indicated that a ruling regarding Apple's compliance will be forthcoming in March. In response to the ongoing scrutiny, Apple has defended its actions, releasing a white paper to address and critique the EU's interoperability requirements.
This dispute is not new; it has its roots in a previous lawsuit where Apple was found to be restricting other platforms from promoting lower subscription prices outside the iOS app. This practice encourages users to make purchases solely through the App Store, which ultimately impacts the revenue of developers.
Apple countered Spotify's claims by arguing that the latter has thrived in the European market, in part, due to the advantages of being part of the App Store ecosystem, which leverages Apple's technology and consumer trust.
