Apple is facing a potential fine of €500m following an investigation into its App Store, according to reports from The Financial Times. The probe concerns allegations that the tech giant restrains access to rival streaming services, including Spotify, by banning linking to external sign-up systems. Apple has also been criticised for imposing a 30% fee on subscriptions made via the App Store. Last year, the European Commission accused Apple of anti-trust practices after it was accused of blocking apps that suggested cheaper music subscription options outside of itself.
If found guilty, Apple would face a fine equivalent to up to 10% of its annual turnover. The implications are severe, since it is claimed Apple has “never faced a competition fine” from the European Commission before. However, the company did face antitrust violations for similar practices brought by French and Italian regulators. Amazon and Google have faced comparable fines in the past.
Apple has not commented on the case, but last year it urged the EU Commission to drop the charges. Spotify had lodged a complaint with the Commission about the iPhone maker’s monopolising behaviour. Apple has maintained that it has already granted Spotify enormous access to its hundreds of millions of users
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