Apple will allow European music streaming apps to link to its own website for purchases

Apple on Friday announced measures to make it easier for music streaming apps on the European Economic Area App Store to tell users about alternative ways to purchase digital services, as it looks to comply with EU directives.

A few weeks ago, the iPhone maker was fined 1.84 billion euros ($1.99 billion, approximately Rs. 16,575 crore) by the European Union for hampering competition from music streaming rivals by restricting the App Store.

The European Commission said in March that Apple’s restrictions constituted unfair trading conditions and that such practices should stop.

Following a complaint from Swedish streaming service Spotify in 2019, the European Commission last year accused Apple of preventing the Swedish company and others from informing users of payment options outside of its App Store.

Apple said on Friday it will allow music streaming app developers to invite users to provide their email addresses in order to send them a link to the developer’s website to purchase digital music content or services and tell them where and how to purchase the goods and price.

The company said the announcement provides “more” flexibility to music streaming service apps, including Spotify, which holds 56% of the European market.

Spotify did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

However, Apple said the committee’s decision does not address its ability to charge commissions on all tools, technology and ongoing services it provides.