Apple has not approved the Spotify update. It shows how much cheaper a subscription outside the App Store would be – MobilMania.cz

Streaming music giant Spotify is once again in trouble with Apple. And that’s because of the latest update of the mobile application, in which only the price conditions appear in addition, if you order a subscription in the EU outside the App Store. But Apple has set the conditions in such a way that it takes almost a third of commissions from links to alternative payment methods. However, Spotify did not provide any direct link to the app and only referred the user to its website in the text (without providing the exact website address). However, even this has signs of “referencing”, according to Apple, and has not approved the publication of the application in the App Store.

Apple and Spotify – it’s a never-ending battle. Since Apple also charges for non-App Store purchases made using the link, Spotify has come up with subscription prices that are available “on the service’s website.” However, Apple sees this claim as a reference, and will claim 27% of every purchase…

Apple counters that in order for an app to link to its own site or other payment options, it must be certified in the Music Streaming Services App (EEA) program. And this means, among other things, that Apple will take a 27% commission from purchases outside the App Store, or 12% commission in case of automatic subscription renewal, or in a situation where the developer is a member of the so-called Small Business Program.

In its justification for disapproving Spotify’s update, Apple directly states that when an app links to something, it doesn’t have to include a physical clickable link. However, we can’t imagine how Apple would link a physical purchase with being referred to it from an app…

It’s nothing but money

It is obvious that both sides are after money. Apple potentially escapes “no work” fees, Spotify could improve financially. Still, what’s striking about the current situation is that despite regulations and changes to terms, it’s still Apple who can come up with a reason (eg “link without a link”) to disapprove an app update. Regulation in the EU is intended to give users more choice when purchasing smartphone content that could be cheaper with alternative providers. But Apple’s approach to the matter means that nothing actually changes.

Apparently the recent €1.84 billion fine for abusing a dominant market position was not enough for Apple. Apple is now facing further investigation for its new rules in response to the DMA regulation. And if it is confirmed that he is trying to avoid what the EU demands of him (as well as others) through various tricks, it may not be the first or the last fine…

Source: Techcrunch, TheVerge