EU fines Apple $2 billion in an antitrust case

Brussels on Monday imposed a $2 billion fine on Apple, the first antitrust-related penalty the company has been subjected to in the European Union.

The penalty comes against the backdrop of preventing Spotify and other music applications from informing users of various payment options outside the Apple Store.

The European Commission’s decision came in response to a complaint filed by Sweden’s Spotify in 2019 against this procedure and the 30% fee imposed by the Apple Store.

Apple criticized the European Union’s decision, saying it would appeal against it. A ruling in the Luxembourg-based General Court, Europe’s second-highest court, is likely to take several years. Until then, Apple will have to pay the fine and comply with the EU decision.

The company said in a statement that the decision “was issued despite the Commission not revealing any reliable evidence of harm to consumers, and it also ignores the facts of the market’s prosperity, competitiveness, and rapid growth.”

European Union Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said in a statement that Apple’s rules cost consumers more money for services due to high fees imposed on developers that were passed on to consumers.

Vestager directed Apple to remove barriers to users and refrain from any similar actions in the future.

Apple said that Spotify does not pay it any commission because it sells its subscriptions on its website and not on the Apple App Store.