EU · ongoing · ~10 min read
EU Music Streaming Fair Competition Inquiry
2023–present · music streaming, app stores, digital entertainment
Spotify says Apple Music competes on iPhones while Apple’s App Store rules tax and silence rival streamers. The EU opened a sector-wide review of music streaming fairness, overlapping with DMA duties and an earlier Apple Music antitrust case. Outcomes are not final.
The story
Music streaming replaced downloads for most listeners. Spotify leads globally, but Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music bundle with hardware and Prime memberships.
On iPhones, Spotify must use Apple’s in-app payment system for subscriptions unless it directs users outside the app under new EU rules—subject to fees and friction.
Apple Music pays no commission to the App Store because Apple owns both the platform and the rival service—a classic self-preferencing complaint.
In April 2023 the Commission launched a sector inquiry, sending questionnaires on licensing, algorithms, and device defaults like Siri integration.
A prior EU case fined Apple over anti-steering for music streaming, influencing DMA drafting. Implementation details in 2024 still draw Spotify criticism.
Artists and labels watch separately: streaming royalties are contractual, but platform competition affects subscriber prices and feature investment.
Regulators have not issued a final streaming-sector decision; describe Spotify–Apple conflict as active review, not settled illegality.
Why it matters
Your subscription price and app experience depend on platform fees and defaults.
Self-preferencing in apps affects any service competing with a platform owner's product.
EU outcomes may spread to other regions via global app store policy changes.
Independent artists benefit if streamers compete on features, not gatekeeper taxes.
What was claimed
Apple abused dominance in music streaming app distribution on iOS.
Commission structures and anti-steering raised rival costs and limited consumer information.
Default Siri and HomePod integration favored Apple Music.
Amazon may cross-subsidize Amazon Music via Prime bundling in anticompetitive ways.
The other side
Apple says it built a secure ecosystem benefiting all developers.
It argues Spotify benefits enormously from iOS without paying fairly for infrastructure.
Amazon says Prime bundling improves consumer welfare.
Platforms contend competition among streamers remains strong on multiple devices.
What it means for you
EU users may see external payment links in Spotify—compare total price including any platform fees.
Try voice assistant music defaults; they may still favor platform-owned apps pending enforcement.
Family plan pricing differs by store; shop before subscribing on a new phone.
Legal fights continue; app rules may change with new Commission decisions.
Bottom line
EU regulators are actively reviewing music streaming fairness on gatekeeper platforms. DMA steps began; comprehensive sector findings remain outstanding.
Timeline
2023
Sector inquiry announced
The EU examined Apple, Amazon, Spotify, and others on app store rules, licensing, and recommendation algorithms.
2023–2024
Spotify public campaign
Spotify highlighted Apple Music’s lack of 30% commission and alleged anti-steering limits on iOS.
2024
DMA compliance for music apps
Apple introduced link-outs and alternative payment options in the EU for streaming apps under gatekeeper duties.
Ongoing
Commission assessment
Regulators evaluate whether changes restore competitive balance; abuse proceedings may continue separately from DMA.
Key dates
- Commission opened streaming sector inquiry
- April 2023
- Apple DMA music app obligations
- March 2024
- Spotify DMA complaint activities (reported)
- 2024
- Ongoing Commission analysis
- 2024–2025
Formal snapshot
Summary: The European Commission is investigating music streaming competition, including app store fees, Apple’s anti-steering rules, and platform ranking of rival streaming apps.
Regulator / plaintiff argument: Gatekeeper platforms and dominant app stores may distort streaming rivalry through commissions, default settings, and communication restrictions to artists and subscribers.
Outcome: Investigation under Article 102 and DMA overlaps continue; Apple Music streaming case precedent exists separately; no final streaming-specific decision closed the sector review.
Conduct tags
Laws referenced
- TFEU Article 102 — Art. 102 TFEU
- Digital Markets Act — Reg. (EU) 2022/1925
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