Apple hit with $2-billion EU antitrust fine in Spotify case, will appeal
BRUSSELS — Brussels on Monday fined Apple €1.84 billion ($2 billion) for thwarting competition from music streaming rivals via restrictions on its App Store, the iPhone maker’s first ever penalty for breaching European Union (EU) rules.
A basic penalty of €40 million was inflated by a huge lump sum included as a deterrent — a first for the European Union’s antitrust authorities.
The European Commission charged Apple last year with preventing Swedish streaming service Spotify and others from informing users of payment options outside its App Store, following a 2019 complaint by Spotify.
It said on Monday Apple’s restrictions constituted unfair trading conditions, a relatively novel argument in an antitrust case and also used by the Dutch antitrust agency in a decision against Apple in 2021 in a case brought by dating app providers. It ordered it to stop such conduct.
Apple said it would appeal the decision. A ruling at the Luxembourg-based General Court, Europe’s second-highest, is likely to take several years. Until then, Apple will have to pay the fine and comply with the EU order.
Apple shares were down 3.2% at $173.88 on Monday afternoon.
The fine was nearly four times the €500million sources with knowledge of the matter had told Reuters they expected the European Commission to impose on Apple. It comprised a basic element of 40 million euros — described by European Competition Commissioner Margarethe Vestager as a “parking ticket” for the US tech giant — plus €1.8 billion slapped on top as a deterrent. The €1.84 billion total is equal to 0.5% of Apple’s global turnover, she said.
Apple criticized the decision, saying in a statement it” was reached despite the Commission’s failure to uncover any credible evidence of consumer harm, and ignores the realities of a market that is thriving, competitive, and growing fast.” —