Spotify expects Apple to 'open up' its platforms after EU complaint
A year after Spotify launched an antitrust complaint against Apple with the European Union, CEO Daniel Ek expects the tech giant to continue opening up its platforms.
Spotify CEO and cofounder Daniel Ek. Credit: Spotify.
Spotify lodged the complaint, accusing Apple of anti-competitive practices in the App Store, with the European Commission in March 2019. Apple initially shot back at Spotify's allegations, but Ek said the iPhone maker has since eased restrictions in its walled garden.
"Long term, we do expect Apple to open up," the Spotify CEO told Bloomberg on Tuesday.
The music streaming company's original complaint alleged that Apple had an incentive to disadvantage competitors on the App Store, since it was both a platform provider as well a direct competitor with services like Apple Music. Ek is referencing the tight integration of Apple's services with its hardware, such as Apple Music capabilities on Siri.
Since Spotify's antitrust complaint in 2019, Apple has rolled out a feature allowing Siri to control third-party music services like Spotify. Spotify has also released tvOS and watchOS apps for its service -- something it once claimed was impossible.
"We're very encouraged about being able to now finally use Siri as a way of building in voice support and also being available to build products for the Apple TV and Apple Watch," Ek told Bloomberg. It isn't clear what prevented Spotify from building out an Apple TV app, as the tvOS platform has supported other third-party streaming options for years.
While Siri now supports third-party music apps, it's still not possible to change the default streaming service on iOS or iPadOS, or use third-party music streaming platforms on HomePod.
Apple is said to be considering allowing users to choose their own default email clients and web browsers as soon as this year, however.
Although Spotify formally filed a complaint in 2019, the company's criticisms about Apple's practices date back to 2016. At the time, Spotify said it noticed a "troubling pattern" of anti-competitive behavior in Apple, and later signed onto a letter urging the European Commission to rein in U.S. tech companies in 2017.
Spotify CEO and cofounder Daniel Ek. Credit: Spotify.
Spotify lodged the complaint, accusing Apple of anti-competitive practices in the App Store, with the European Commission in March 2019. Apple initially shot back at Spotify's allegations, but Ek said the iPhone maker has since eased restrictions in its walled garden.
"Long term, we do expect Apple to open up," the Spotify CEO told Bloomberg on Tuesday.
The music streaming company's original complaint alleged that Apple had an incentive to disadvantage competitors on the App Store, since it was both a platform provider as well a direct competitor with services like Apple Music. Ek is referencing the tight integration of Apple's services with its hardware, such as Apple Music capabilities on Siri.
Since Spotify's antitrust complaint in 2019, Apple has rolled out a feature allowing Siri to control third-party music services like Spotify. Spotify has also released tvOS and watchOS apps for its service -- something it once claimed was impossible.
"We're very encouraged about being able to now finally use Siri as a way of building in voice support and also being available to build products for the Apple TV and Apple Watch," Ek told Bloomberg. It isn't clear what prevented Spotify from building out an Apple TV app, as the tvOS platform has supported other third-party streaming options for years.
While Siri now supports third-party music apps, it's still not possible to change the default streaming service on iOS or iPadOS, or use third-party music streaming platforms on HomePod.
Apple is said to be considering allowing users to choose their own default email clients and web browsers as soon as this year, however.
Although Spotify formally filed a complaint in 2019, the company's criticisms about Apple's practices date back to 2016. At the time, Spotify said it noticed a "troubling pattern" of anti-competitive behavior in Apple, and later signed onto a letter urging the European Commission to rein in U.S. tech companies in 2017.
Comments
Which is the default? I don’t really care...
Everyone does this to Apple. Which is why I don't give a sh** about these scumbag companies.
Did you read the article or just log in to spew your inferiority complex.
Fucking Ad Company, first and foremost, so of course, they will, in fact, never die!
In fact, and I know this is controversial, I think there should be discussion around their App Store as well, finding a balance between maintaining quality/safety and freedom of choice.
The irony is that when Apple was still small and Microsoft huge, all Apple fans were complaining about 'Micro$oft' abusing their monopoly, e.g Internet Explorer being shipped with Windows and integrated in their OS, creating unfair market share. Now the tables are turned, most people on this forum think Spotify is the one out of their element? Come on!
ps: IMHO Spotify's interface is vastly superior to Apple Music.
This is good news - good for you Spotify. Force the platform to open up a little more. Being able to use Siri with the other music services and the HomePod is a good thing.
It may be a little late by the time this happens but making it happen is important, Apple will keep this locked down until the threat of having to open it up. Like any company would do. Opening to the TV's, Sonos etc is all good for the customer and it is good for Apple. Keeps them on their toes.
As a user I certainly welcome this. Apple Music is utterly terrible - the UI is so bad. I struggle to remember a worse product that Apple has shipped. I am an Apple user through and through, but in this area Spotify is miles ahead. Perhaps its different in the US but in the UK Apple Music is such a disappointment.
Better app, options and quality. Every few months I try again with Apple Music but its woeful for how I want to use it. I'm clearly not the the main demographic but I'm sure 2000's Apple would be mocking the current iOS UI.
Now Spotify - stay out of Podcasts you are not welcome there!