Spotify Technology SA (NYSE:SPOT) has taken aim at Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL, ETR:APC) over plans to charge app developers commission despite allowing them to sell products away from its store.
“Once again, Apple has demonstrated that they will stop at nothing to protect the profits they exact on the backs of developers and consumers under their app store monopoly,” the music streaming service accused.
Apple unveiled plans on Wednesday to let developers sell their products away from its App Store, following a long-running legal case against Fortnite creator Epic Games.
This had resulted in Apple being found to have broken US competition rules, with fees of up to 30% being charged to those forced to sell on the App Store.
However, under Wednesday’s plans, Apple said developers would be charged commission despite being able to sell their apps elsewhere.
Such plans are “outrageous,” Spotify added, urging the UK government to step in to prevent Apple charging similar fees in Britain.
"The UK's digital markets, competition and consumer bill must put an end to this false posturing," Spotify added.
"[They are] essentially a recreation of Apple's fees.
"We strongly urge UK lawmakers to pass the bill swiftly to prevent Apple from implementing similar fees, which will help create a more competitive and innovative tech industry for UK consumers and businesses.”