Spotify filed a case against Apple alleging that its regulations impeded competition with Apple Music

Apple’s troubles with EU authorities continue, with the company now potentially facing a 500-million-euro (approximately $539 million) punishment. Regulators levied this penalty in response to a complaint from Spotify saying that Apple has regulations in place that prevent iPhone applications from informing customers that there are cheaper music streaming alternatives than Apple Music.

Spotify is one of the world’s most popular music streaming services, and it directly competes with Apple Music. The iPhone maker certainly wants people to stay in its ecosystem, and Spotify complains that Apple intentionally blocks apps from notifying customers about cheaper options.

Apple must pay more than half a billion dollars in the EU

Spotify filed a case against Apple in the EU in 2019 alleging that its regulations impeded competition with Apple Music. The EU initiated an inquiry the following year, focusing on Apple’s refusal to allow developers to direct customers to their own subscription sign-up pages from within their apps. Apple altered its approach in 2022 in response to demand from Japanese officials.

According to the Financial Times, EU regulators have levied a 500-million-euro ($539 million) punishment on Apple, with the European Commission expected to formally disclose the verdict early next month. The article also states that the Commission would allege that Apple violated EU antitrust legislation and promoted “unfair trading conditions” for competitors in App store.

Both Apple and the European Commission have refrained from making an official statement about this claim. It’s doubtful that until next month that we’ll hear anything formally about the situation.