The European Payment, a vital body of the European Union (EU) has actually fined Apple EUR1.8 billion ($ 1.95 billion)for “abusing its dominant position on the market for the distribution of music streaming apps.”
In a Monday declaration regarding the antitrust choice, EU competitors commissioner Margrethe Vestager stated:“Apple did so by restricting app developers’ ability to inform users of Apple devices about alternative, cheaper options to purchase music available on the internet outside of the Apple ecosystem.”
She included: This is unlawful. And it has actually influenced countless European customers, that were unable to make a complimentary option regarding where, exactly how, and at what rate to get music streaming registrations.”.
The fine consists of an added “lump sum” to “account for the non-monetary harm caused to consumers and to achieve deterrence,” the EU stated. Described Vestager:“The fine we impose today reflects both Apple’s financial power and the harm Apple’s conduct inflicted on millions of European users.”
She said that the Apple situation reveals that competitors legislation has a main duty to play in the EU’s Digital SolitaryMarket “The Digital Markets Act – the DMA – is now also offering more choice, more freedom to both end users and business users of companies, such as Apple, whose services were designated by the Commission as ‘gatekeepers’,” Vestager wrapped up.“And, in a couple of days, on March 7, 2024, Apple will have to comply with the full list of ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ under the DMA. Among others, Apple can no longer impose rules, such as the anti-steering obligations, which were at the core of our investigation in this case. And this holds for any app on the App Store, not just music streaming apps.”
The EU commissioner additionally attended to current Apple transfers to transform its Application Shop company version. “At this stage, I cannot really comment on them in detail, but let me stress that we will carefully look into the details, to assess the changes and to take into account also the market feedback,” she stated.
However Vestager conclduded: “Apple will have to open the gates to its ecosystem, to allow end users to easily find the apps they want, pay for them in any way they want, and use them on any device they want.”
