Following Landmark Court Ruling, Spotify Submits New App Update to Apple to Benefit U.S. Consumers

Yesterday, a U.S. federal judge ordered Apple to stop its illegal behavior and loosen its iron grip on its App Store, finding that the company was in “willful violation” of a 2021 injunction. This means that Apple will now have to stop restricting developers’ ability to communicate with their customers free of charge. While other governments around the world have taken steps against Apple’s harmful practices, this is, by far, the most consequential action to date—and it delivers the benefits that all consumers deserve around the world.

This is a great day for Spotify users in the U.S. We have just submitted a Spotify app update to Apple, which includes certain features we can now bring to our American users. Once Apple approves our update, U.S. consumers:

• Can finally see how much something costs in our app, including pricing details on subscriptions and information about promotions that will save money; 
• Can click a link to purchase the subscription of choice, upgrading from a Free account to one of our Premium plans;
• Can seamlessly click the link and easily change Premium subscriptions from Individual to a Student, Duo, or Family plan; 
• Can use other payment options beyond just  Apple’s payment system—we provide a wider range of options on our website; and 
• Going forward, this opens the door to other seamless buying opportunities that will directly benefit creators (think easy-to-purchase audiobooks) 

If all of this seems obvious and user-friendly, you’re right, and we agree—these are the kinds of improvements that any app should offer its users. The fact that we haven’t been able to deliver these basic services, which were permitted by the judge’s order four years ago, is absurd. The ruling made it clear that Apple deliberately abused its market power to intentionally harm others and benefit only itself. But thanks to this important ruling in the case between Apple and Epic Games yesterday, this should change “effective immediately”—those are the judge’s words. 

Spotify has always believed that the internet should be a fair and open ecosystem. It’s absolutely necessary to fuel growth, innovation, and creator discovery. This groundbreaking decision could unlock real opportunities for creators building their businesses and sharing their art with fans through Spotify. For example, these changes should soon allow publishers to sell their audiobooks through Spotify’s platform seamlessly. 

Meaningful parts of Apple’s anticompetitive barriers have been removed, and it’s long overdue—this should be table stakes for doing business not only in the U.S., but in every corner of the world. 

Visit Time To Play Fair to learn more.