Spotify has submitted an app update to Apple, including an external link for purchasing subscriptions in the US. This follows a court ruling that found Apple violated an order allowing greater competition for app downloads.

US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled that Apple failed to comply with an earlier antitrust injunction from Epic Games, the creator of Fortnite.

The ruling prevents Apple from imposing a commission on purchases made outside of its app. Although Apple disagrees with the decision, it plans to comply with the order and intends to appeal.

This legal dispute is part of an ongoing conflict between Spotify and Apple over App Store policies.

The update follows a similar change Spotify made for European users in August 2024.

🔗 Source: Reuters

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ A prolonged legal saga culminates in a regulatory turning point

Spotify’s move follows a seven-year legal and competitive battle that has defined the app economy’s most contentious relationship.

The conflict began escalating in 2016 when Spotify publicly accused Apple of using App Store approval processes as a “weapon” against competitors, particularly after app updates were rejected 1.

This latest development comes directly after Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled that Apple “willfully violated” previous court orders by creating barriers to prevent developers from directing users to alternative payment options 2.

The ruling is particularly significant as it referred Apple to federal prosecutors for potential criminal contempt proceedings, signaling increasing judicial impatience with tech platforms’ compliance with antitrust remedies 2.

This represents a culmination of multiple complaints Spotify has filed globally, including its high-profile 2019 European Commission complaint where CEO Daniel Ek compared dealing with Apple’s App Store policies to “playing ping-pong blindfolded” 3.

2️⃣ The 30% “Apple tax” remains central to the platform economics dispute

The core economic issue in this conflict remains Apple’s 30% commission on in-app purchases, which Spotify has consistently described as an unfair “tax” that tilts the competitive landscape.

This commission structure forced Spotify to increase subscription prices to $12.99 in the App Store (compared to $9.99 on its website) to maintain margins, creating a price disadvantage against Apple Music which doesn’t face the same fee structure 4.

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