Spotify CEO Daniel Ek has joined Elon Musk in decrying Apple’s App Store policies.
“Over and over again Apple gives itself every advantage while at the same time stifling innovation and hurting consumers,” Ek wrote in a lengthy Twitter thread.
Over and over again @Apple gives itself every advantage while at the same time stifling innovation and hurting consumers. https://t.co/K2qi8iXwNw
— Daniel Ek (@eldsjal) November 30, 2022
The Spotify boss called Apple “shameless in their bullying” in blocking Spotify’s efforts to help sell more audiobooks.
READ: Elon Musk attacks Apple after claiming it has stopped advertising on Twitter
The dispute centers on the 30% App Store fee Apple charges for in-app digital services transactions.
Spotify previously objected to Apple’s 30% cut of its business, blocking the streaming company from selling audiobooks within its iOS app. Spotify suggested several alternatives, which it believed were consistent with Apple’s policies, but they were all ultimately rejected after undergoing reviews for the App Store.
Now Spotify cannot offer its customers an avenue for audiobook purchases in its iOS app, which clearly infuriated the company’s CEO.
"Apple acts in self interest but also doesn’t seem to care about the law or courts," Ek wrote.
"How much longer will we look away from this threat to the future of the internet? How many more consumers will be denied choice? There’s been a lot of talk. Talk is helpful but we need action."
Spotify shares were up around 4% on Wednesday afternoon in New York.
Tech CEOs hit back at Apple
Ek is joining a growing chorus of tech bigwigs in criticizing Apple’s App Store policies. Earlier this week, Twitter boss Elon Musk accused Apple of threatening to remove the platform from its app store.
In a series of tweets, Musk accused Apple of censorship in a series of tweets, claiming that Apple had threatened to withhold Twitter from its App Store.
Apple has mostly stopped advertising on Twitter. Do they hate free speech in America?
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 28, 2022
“What’s going on here, Tim Cook?”
The Apple boss has yet to respond.
Contact Angela at angela@proactiveinvestors.com
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