This is the third largest fine from the EU and the first to target Apple.
As Engadget reports, after months of speculation, the European Commission has fined Apple $1.95 billion for restricting alternative music streaming apps in the App Store.
The story began in 2020, when Spotify complained to Apple for “suppressing” its music service in favor of iTunes and Apple Music. After 4 years, the European Commission did recognize that Apple violated EU antitrust law by prohibiting app developers from informing users of other options for purchasing music subscriptions (such as placing ads or links to websites in apps or through emails).
Apple has used this practice for almost 10 years, thereby forcing iOS users to pay more for music subscriptions than necessary (taking into account its 30% commission, which developers take into account when forming the price).
It was previously reported that the EU may impose a fine on Apple in the amount of $542.6 million – less than a third of the final amount. However, the commission opted for a larger financial penalty as a “deterrent” to prevent the violation from happening again. Apple plans to appeal the decision.
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