Apple (AAPL.O) will fight a new EU antitrust case and possible large penalties on Friday for allegedly preventing music streaming providers like Spotify (SPOT.N) from alerting consumers of other shopping options outside its App Store.
In a confidential Brussels session, the iPhone maker will present its case to senior European Commission officials and national competition agency officials.
EU antitrust regulators strengthened their case against Apple’s anti-steering obligations this year but dropped a lawsuit against its in-app payment system requirement.
The Commission said the anti-steering responsibilities violate EU unfair trading regulations, a novel legal approach in an antitrust case.
Apple has dismissed the 2019 Spotify lawsuit case, citing Spotify’s dominance in Europe, where Apple Music ranks third or fourth in most EU nations.
It also claims that it has changed rules to allow reader apps like Spotify and Netflix to incorporate links to their websites for sign-ups and user payments, bypassing its disputed 30% App Store fee.
Reader apps charge upfront for e-books, videos, and music.
Spotify, which will also testify, claims Apple’s latest anti-steering regulations haven’t altered. It requested a quick Commission ruling. The EU executive never discusses oral hearings or dates.
