Spotify Updates App After Apple Antitrust Ruling, Targets Subscription Link Access

Spotify (NYSE:SPOT) has submitted an updated version of its iOS app to Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) featuring an external link for subscription purchases, following a U.S. court ruling that found Apple violated a previous antitrust order.

In a letter to Apple, Spotify stated it would implement the update in line with U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers' ruling on Wednesday. The court ruled that Apple must not impose commissions on off-app purchases, reinforcing a 2021 injunction from the Epic Games antitrust case. Spotify criticized the delay in enforcement, calling it “absurd” that basic services allowed by the initial court order had been obstructed for four years.

Apple has expressed strong disagreement with the ruling but said it would comply while planning to appeal the decision. The legal battle highlights the long-standing friction between the two tech giants, mainly over Apple’s App Store policies and their financial impact on third-party developers like Spotify.

This legal update follows Spotify’s August 2024 move in the European Union to add pricing details in its iOS app after Apple had previously blocked such efforts. That change aligned with the EU’s Digital Markets Act, aiming to boost competition across digital platforms.

In a related development, Apple announced a $10 billion reduction in its share buyback program. CEO Tim Cook warned that new tariffs could raise Apple’s costs by approximately $900 million this quarter.

As Spotify takes advantage of the legal momentum to regain control over its subscription pathway, the ruling could have far-reaching implications for app developers seeking fairer terms within Apple’s ecosystem.