Spotify joins media companies in urging EU to act against Apple’s ‘unfair’ practices

Jan 18 (Reuters) – Music streaming service Spotify Technology, along with other media companies such as Deezer, urged the European Commission to take action against Apple Inc for anti-competitive and unfair practices, in a joint letter from the industry Wednesday.

The letter, addressed to Margrethe Vestager, executive vice-president of the European Union’s antitrust regulator, asked the Commission to act quickly for the well-being of European consumers.

Spotify has for years accused Apple of abusing its market position by using App Store rules to stifle competition.

It has already filed antitrust complaints against Apple in various countries, alleging that the 30% fee Apple demands from developers on its App Store has forced Spotify to “artificially inflate” its own prices.

“We write to call for rapid and decisive action by the European Commission against the anti-competitive and unfair practices of certain global digital gatekeepers, and Apple in particular,” reads the letter, signed by the leaders of the media companies Schibsted, Proton. and base camp.

Spotify Chief Executive Daniel Ek previously said the iPhone maker is “giving itself every advantage while stifling innovation and harming consumers.”

Apple did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. (Reporting by Chavi Mehta in Bangalore; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri)