The European Commission has fined Apple \u20ac1.8 billion (\u00a31.5 billion) for streaming violations<\/a>.\u00a0 So,1,800,000,000<\/span>\u00a0EUR<\/span>\u00a0is equal to\u00a01,952,277,657<\/span>\u00a0USD @\u00a01.08<\/span> US dollars to 1 Euro. Anyway you figure it, this is a significant fine. The reason is that the EU said it\u2019s because the streaming service didn\u2019t inform users of payment options outside the Apple app store<\/a>.<\/p>\n Margrethe Vestager has said in the music market Apple has abused its dominant position for over a decade \u2014 and she ordered the music giant to remove all restrictions. Apple<\/a> replies that it will appeal the decision and that there is no evidence that any consumers were harmed. Ms Vestager also said that Apple restricted \u201cdevelopers from informing consumers about alternative, cheaper music services outside of the Apple ecosystem, which is illegal under EU antitrust rules.\u201d<\/p>\n The DMA of the European Union aims to promote competition in the technology sector and attempt to weaken the market dominance of companies such as Apple<\/a> and Google.<\/p>\n Ahead of the impending introduction of the Digital Markets Act (DMA), Apple said in January that it would permit users in the European Union to download apps from stores other than its own.<\/p>\n The Swedish music streaming provider Spotify filed a protest with the European Commission, citing dissatisfaction with both the restriction and Apple\u2019s 30% fee, prompting the EU to take a closer look.<\/p>\n Apple said, \u201cThe decision was reached despite the Commission\u2019s failure to uncover any credible evidence of consumer harm and ignores the realities of a market that is thriving, competitive, and growing fast.\u2019<\/p>\n Apple claims that \u201cSpotify has the largest music streaming app in the world and has met with the EC [European Commission] more than 65 times during this investigation.\u201d Previously, Spotify claimed<\/a> that the EU restrictions helped Apple\u2019s rival music streaming service \u2014 Apple Music.<\/p>\n Apple\u2019s protracted legal spat with Fortnite developer\u00a0Epic Games<\/a> led to the introduction of US fees in the first place. The largest developers pay 30% to utilize this method, whereas smaller developers charge 15% or less, and 85% of developers pay nothing at all.<\/p>\n Apple pointed out, \u201cThe primary advocate for this decision, and the biggest beneficiary, is Spotify, a company based in Stockholm, Sweden.<\/p>\n Featured Image Credit: Sami Abdullah; Pexels<\/a><\/p>\nThe DMA \u2014 promoting competition<\/h2>\n
Spotify is the largest music streaming app in the world<\/h2>\n
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