The European Union (EU) is reportedly gearing up to slap Apple with a massive US$539 (~RM2.58 billion) fine for allegedly breaking one of its laws regarding access to its music streaming services. This is in line with an antitrust probe the European body began back in 2019, after rival streaming service, Spotify, made a formal complaint.
The antitrust probe essentially investigated whether Apple blocked apps from informing iPhone users of cheaper alternatives to access music subscriptions outside the app store. As per an FT report, the European Commission is prepared to say that Apple’s actions are illegal and “go against the bloc’s rules that enforce competition in the single market”. Adding on to the fine, the Commission said that it is prepared to ban the fruit company’s practice of blocking alternative music streaming services.
