Spotify has no plans to integrate in-app purchases into its iOS app in the EU, at least for now. Instead, the developers submitted for Apple's approval an update in which information about the cost of a subscription is posted inside the application and accompanied by a link to an external resource where users can learn more about the proposed tariffs and subscribe.
A Spotify representative said that the mentioned change is being introduced in response to the decision of the European Commission, which a few days ago fined Apple €1.84 billion for “abuse of a dominant position” in the music streaming segment. The regulator found that the current App Store rules do not allow developers of third-party products to inform users about the existence of “alternative and cheaper” streaming music services that are available outside the iOS ecosystem.
The European Commission recognized this practice as illegal and called on Apple to make appropriate changes to the current App Store platform policy to comply with EU antitrust laws. The regulator obliged Apple to provide third-party developers with the opportunity to freely communicate with their customers, including providing data in applications about the cost of tariffs, discounts and promotions.
Spotify intends to take full advantage of the European Commission's decision. If Apple approves the update, Spotify users in the European Union will be able to see information about the cost of subscriptions to the service, as well as information about various functions offered by the platform, in the iOS app. In addition, the application will contain links that redirect users to the service's website, where they can subscribe. Earlier this year, Spotify representatives announced their intention to implement a shopping feature within the iOS application, but now it has become known that this will not happen for now.
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