Spotify CEO Daniel Ek on Apple's EU Changes: 'They Think the Rules Don't Apply to Them'

[MacRumors]

Spotify CEO Daniel EK today wrote a blog post criticizing the app ecosystem changes that Apple implemented in the European Union under the Digital Markets Act, accusing Apple of putting forward "a new plan that is a complete and total farce" under "the false pretense of compliance and concessions."

Ek says that Apple doesn't "think the rules apply to them," and he believes that most app developers are not going to be able to adopt Apple's new terms.

The 0.50 euro Core Technology Fee collected per install per year (after 1 million installs) is "extortion," according to Ek. Combined with the reduced commission through the App Store (10-20% depending on options selected), Ek claims that developers of popular apps will pay "the same or even more to Apple" than with the prior rules.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1750988499518362089

According to Ek, Spotify is facing "an untenable situation." With Apple's new terms, Spotify would have to pay 0.50 euros per user along with a 17 percent commission, which is the same or worse as under the old rules. Ek claims that an alternative app store offering could potentially increase customer acquisition costs tenfold because of the need to pay the fee even for non-subscribers.

And if we managed to remove our app from the App Store and only existed in the Alternative App Store, that would still not work. With our EU Apple install base in the 100 million user range, this new tax on downloads and updates could skyrocket our customer acquisition costs, potentially increasing them tenfold. This, as we have to pay on every install or update to our free or paid app, even for those who no longer use the service.

Ek concludes that Apple is "forcing developers to stay with the status quo," which "negates the goal of the DMA." The future that Spotify outlined earlier this week promising a better experience for users in the EU is "less clear," according to Ek, and he calls on European Commissioners to reject Apple's "blatant disregard" of the DMA.

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney, another outspoken Apple critic, shared similar thoughts yesterday. He said that the App Store changes are a "devious new instance of malicious compliance" aimed at thwarting the Digital Markets Act.

Sweeney said that while Fortnite will return to iOS through a planned Epic Games app marketplace on the iPhone, Epic will continue to "argue to the courts and regulators that Apple is breaking the law."

In a statement to MacRumors, Apple said that it is happy to support the success of all developers, and that under the new business terms, more than 99 percent of developers will pay the same amount or less to Apple.

We’re happy to support the success of all developers — including Spotify, which has the most successful music streaming app in the world. The changes we’re sharing for apps in the European Union give developers choice — with new options to distribute iOS apps and process payments. Every developer can choose to stay on the same terms in place today. And under the new terms, more than 99% of developers would pay the same or less to Apple.

Article Link: Spotify CEO Daniel Ek on Apple's EU Changes: 'They Think the Rules Don't Apply to Them'

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

He's right. Every bit as bad as Microsoft in the 90's.

 

[neuropsychguy]

“he believes that most app developers are not going to be able to adopt Apple's new terms”

Most developers would be able to adopt the new terms, unless most developers are having more than 1 million installs per year. Does the Spotify CEO have data showing that >50% of iOS developers have more than 1 million app installs per year in the EU? If not, he's posturing with hyperbole.

What he really means is Spotify and a few other large companies will have to pay Apple about the same money or more with the new terms as the old terms. These companies wanted to pay less and are upset that didn't happen.

Note that I'm not defending Apple here, I'm simply pointing out the hyperbole (or worse) from Spotify's CEO.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Companies are not citizens of the countries in which they operate, and therefor should have no say-so. Spotify is no angel, but they're right.

We the people, not we the corporations.

 

[Donstil-nl]

It irritates me more and more that we give Spotify so much attention in this. Spotify is an unsympathetic company that pays artists the least among all streaming services. They don’t deserve our sympathy at all, and the battle they wage against Apple is at least hypocritical.

That being said, the new App Store rules are in accordance with the EU, and all companies that think differently now simply have to accept it

 

[contacos]

It almost makes me want to buy a Samsung next tbh totally off putting and I don’t even feel the need to sideload. Just how Apple adapted the rules is kind of cringe. Wonder what the EU will eventually (in like 5 years at their pace) say about it.

It’s like those companies here that adapt a cookie banner but you only have the choice between accepting all cookies or subscribing but then they argue „but you have a choice!“ or Facebook only offering a paid subscription to not be tracked in the EU. Shady!

 

[aloysiusfreeman]

It irritates me more and more that we give Spotify so much attention in this. Spotify is an unsympathetic company that pays artists the least among all streaming services. They don’t deserve our sympathy at all, and the battle they wage against Apple is at least hypocritical.

That being said, the new App Store rules are in accordance with the EU, and all companies that think differently now simply have to accept it

I think Apple is pretty scummy as of late, but yeah it really takes the cake to see Spotify try to take a high road.

 

[NOATAK]

I can't imagine Apple getting away with this fee, it's just ridiculous and nips any competition in the bud. It's time for the EU to set an example and impose a heavy fine for this BS.

 

[jlc1978]

What he means is Spotify will have to pay Apple about the same money with the new terms as the old terms.

Which is really what upsets him; he didn’t get the free ride he expected.

As I and others have said, Apple will find a way to make up for the lost money with new fees.

 

[Shadow Demon]

Only the letter of the law matters. Don’t like it the EU can attempt to write a new law if they can.

 

[icanhazmac]

Companies are not citizens of the countries in which they operate, and therefor should have no say-so.

We the people, not we the corporations.

Hmmm, I wonder how many EU citizens were clamoring for all this EU overreach versus lobbyists or special interests?

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

I can't imagine Apple getting away with this fee, it's just ridiculous and nips any competition in the bud. It's time for the EU to set an example and impose a heavy fine for this BS.

Fines aren't enough. They need the kind of measures MS got.

 

[SmugMaverick]

It irritates me more and more that we give Spotify so much attention in this. Spotify is an unsympathetic company that pays artists the least among all streaming services. They don’t deserve our sympathy at all, and the battle they wage against Apple is at least hypocritical.

That being said, the new App Store rules are in accordance with the EU, and all companies that think differently now simply have to accept it

That’s the point of his post, they’re not within the rules and this is just Apple trying to prolong and cause fear over side loading.

It’s utterly disgusting behaviour.

 

[Wanted797]

I can't imagine Apple getting away with this fee, it's just ridiculous and nips any competition in the bud. It's time for the EU to set an example and impose a heavy fine for this BS.

You can‘t fine a company for not breaking the law. Just because you don’t like it doesn’t make it illegal.

 

[frenchcamp49er]

Neither does Spotify or Epic

 

[SmugMaverick]

It almost makes me want to buy a Samsung next tbh totally off putting and I don’t even feel the need to sideload. Just how Apple adapted the rules is kind of cringe. Wonder what the EU will eventually (in like 5 years at their pace) say about it

Feel the same tbh, Pixel 9 here I come.

Apple are acting like old Microsoft.

 

[VPsmith]

Notice the real complaint here. “We aren’t getting a discount from Apple”… like these companies want so badly to not pay Apple a dime.. and I don’t support that. I support Apple in all of this. The people that wish Apple got paid less are really rooting for the other team. I just gotta say. I support Apple.

 

[frenchcamp49er]

Companies are not citizens of the countries in which they operate, and therefor should have no say-so. Spotify is no angel, but they're right.

We the people, not we the corporations.

Then they should just pull out of the EU if they have no say so.

 

[frenchcamp49er]

Feel the same tbh, Pixel 9 here I come.

Apple are acting like old Microsoft.

Right.... 🤣

 

[Dionte]

If people don’t like how apple operates why not just leave. Come together and make your own device.

 

[frenchcamp49er]

Time for Apple to sell the EU Phone. Nothing but a phone.

 

[klasma]

That being said, the new App Store rules are in accordance with the EU

That remains to be seen. The commission hasn’t reviewed Apple’s solution yet (see https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...default-stores-and-more.2417535/post-32889334).

 

[roar08]

Hate the game, not the player.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Then they should just pull out of the EU if they have no say so.

Pull out of the US too, since I'm quoting the US constitution.

Corporations are not people, they are entities and should be treated as entities.

 

[SmugMaverick]

Funny seeing all these posts from people praising this behaviour from Apple but they’re dead silent when it’s Apple helping the Chinese government suppress people or let them hack airdrop for years.

Remember airdrop only findable for ten minutes because China demanded it.

Good times