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Spotify has formally submitted an app update to Apple, allowing external links for subscription purchases in the U.S. market. This bold step follows a pivotal legal decision by a U.S. judge, asserting that Apple violated a previous court order mandating greater competition in app downloads.
The dispute stems from a landmark antitrust case initiated by “Fortnite” maker Epic Games, which challenged Apple’s tightly controlled App Store policies. In her 80-page ruling, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers of Oakland stated that Apple had failed to comply with her earlier injunction.
The ruling emphasized that Apple must not impose its newly introduced commission on off-app purchases, thus clearing the way for apps like Spotify to guide users to external payment options.
Spotify Responds Swiftly
Reacting swiftly, Spotify communicated in a letter to Apple that it intends to modify its U.S. app in line with the latest court directive. The Swedish audio streaming leader also voiced its frustration in a blog post, stating:
“The fact that we haven’t been able to deliver these basic services, which were permitted by the judge’s order four years ago, is absurd.”
This update could mark a turning point in how digital services operate within the iOS ecosystem, especially for companies that have long criticized Apple’s 30% commission fee and tight control over payment methods.
While Apple has “strongly disagreed” with the court’s recent decision, it affirmed that it would comply with the order for now, adding that it plans to appeal the ruling. However, the company has not responded to media requests for comment regarding Spotify’s latest app update.
The Spotify-Apple rivalry has been simmering for years, centered around the App Store’s restrictive practices and the financial impact they have on third-party developers. Just months ago, in August 2024, Spotify rolled out a similar app update in the European Union, displaying pricing information for its plans after Apple had initially rejected the proposal.
Apple Faces Broader Business Challenges
Meanwhile, in a separate financial move, Apple trimmed its share buyback program by $10 billion, and CEO Tim Cook warned analysts that tariffs could increase costs by approximately $900 million this quarter, potentially adding pressure on the tech giant amid growing regulatory scrutiny.
As legal and regulatory landscapes shift, Spotify’s latest move could open the door to a more transparent digital marketplace, giving developers more control and offering users clearer choices.
