European authorities to initiate antitrust investigation against Apple, instigated by Spotify
The European Commission has concluded its investigation into Apple's App Store practices, finding that the tech giant violated competition rules related to Spotify and other app developers. The Commission fined Apple €500 million and ordered changes to its App Store rules [1][2].
The investigation, which could potentially last for several years, has been ongoing since Apple was accused of receiving an unfair advantage in its app store practices. Spotify, the largest music streaming service, filed an antitrust complaint against Apple last month, alleging that Apple sets up barriers and frustrates payment scenarios for Spotify, but not for its own service, Apple Music [5].
The Commission's investigation focused on Apple's 30-percent fee, known as the "Apple tax," on charges through the App Store. This fee, which forced Spotify to raise its prices for users above what Apple Music charges, has been a point of contention for many app developers [3].
Apple initially resisted changes, but in June 2025, it updated its App Store business terms to comply with the Commission's demands. The changes introduced a two-tier fee structure and allowed developers to link to external payment options [3][4].
The Commission is tentatively approving these changes, thus ending the immediate investigation phase [1][3][4]. Apple's App Store has generated at least $40 billion in subscription fees for the company since its inception in 2015 [6].
The investigation against Apple's app store practices is not limited to Europe. The U.S. Supreme Court is also wrangling with a similar antitrust suit aimed at the App Store's practices (Apple v. Pepper) [2].
The European Commission's investigation, and the ongoing U.S. Supreme Court case, could undermine a major revenue engine in Apple's portfolio—the App Store. However, the exact impact on Apple's business remains to be seen.
Sources:
[1] European Commission. (2025). Press release: European Commission fines Apple €500 million for breaching EU competition rules. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_25_1393
[2] European Commission. (2025). Q&A: Apple. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/competition/elojade/isef/case_details.cfm?proc_code=3_SA_10340
[3] European Commission. (2025). European Commission approves Apple's new App Store business terms. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_25_1725
[4] European Commission. (2025). European Commission suspends daily fines against Apple. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_25_1912
[5] The Verge. (2021). Spotify accuses Apple of anticompetitive practices in App Store. Retrieved from https://www.theverge.com/2021/3/31/22365553/spotify-apple-antitrust-complaint-app-store-fees
[6] Statista. (2021). Apple App Store revenue worldwide from 2015 to 2020. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/statistics/454529/global-revenue-of-the-apple-app-store/
- The European Commission's investigation into Apple's App Store practices, focusing on competition rules and Apple's 30-percent fee, has implications for the technology industry, finance, and business as the tech giant was found to have violated rules related to Spotify and other app developers.
- The investigation follows Spotify's antitrust complaint against Apple, alleging that the tech giant sets up barriers and frustrates payment scenarios for Spotify, but not for its own service, Apple Music. The ongoing investigation could potentially disrupt a major revenue engine in Apple's portfolio—the App Store.
- The Commission's tentative approval of changes to Apple's App Store business terms, such as introducing a two-tier fee structure and allowing developers to link to external payment options, signals a shift in the tech industry's general-news landscape, as tech companies adapt to increased regulation and scrutiny.
- The U.S. Supreme Court is also handling a similar antitrust suit aimed at the App Store's practices, demonstrating the global significance of technology and the tech industry, especially with regards to finance and business, as regulatory bodies worldwide seek to ensure fair competition.
- The investigation and the subsequent changes to Apple's App Store rules could impact the future of technology, with potential ripple effects on the technology, finance, business, politics, and general-news industries as companies reconsider their strategies and practices in response to increased regulatory oversight.
