“Apple is shameless in their bullying”: Spotify CEO joins Elon Musk in slamming App Store policies Spotify ( SPOT ) is escalating its public battle with Apple ( AAPL ) over its controversial app shop practices.
In a lengthy post to Twitter on Wednesday, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek wrote: “As countless entrepreneurs have highlighted, Apple’s bullying is shameless, including our recent efforts to help authors sell more audiobooks.”
“Apple is acting in its own self-interest, but also doesn’t seem to care about the law or the courts,” Ek continued, adding, “How long before we get rid of this threat to the future of the internet? How many more choices will consumers be denied? There’s a lot of talk. The conversation is helpful, but we need to take action.”
Ek’s latest comments come as prominent figures in the tech world once again speak out against Apple’s App Store, following Elon Musk’s recent comments.
Musk, the CEO of Tesla and Twitter, tweeted that Apple’s practices were “concerning” and recently accused Apple of silencing speech by requiring apps in its shop to adhere to certain content standards.
In one tweet, Musk specifically flagged the Twitter account of Apple CEO Tim Cook.
“Apple continues to get in the way.”
The music streaming platform, which launched its audiobook business in September, has been denouncing Apple’s “anti-competitive behaviour”.
In a blog post published in October, Spotify wrote: “Apple continues to hinder Spotify’s and other developers’ ability to provide a seamless user experience, and its restrictions hurt creators and consumers alike.”
According to the New York Times, Apple’s App Store rejected Spotify’s app three times in October, claiming that its new audiobook product violated Apple’s rules on how developers can communicate with customers about online purchases.
The two companies have been arguing over Apple’s App Store rules for nearly seven years, with Spotify slamming the Cupertino-based company for charging a 30 per cent fee
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“Apple is shameless in their bullying”: Spotify CEO joins Elon Musk in slamming App Store policies
Alexandra Canal
Alexandra Canal – Senior Reporter
Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at 7:18 am
In this article.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk
Chief Executive Officer, SpaceX
Daniel Ek
Swedish CEO and Spotify founder
Spotify ( SPOT ) is escalating its public battle with Apple ( AAPL ) over its controversial app shop practices.
In a lengthy post to Twitter on Wednesday, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek wrote: “As countless entrepreneurs have highlighted, Apple’s bullying is shameless, including our recent efforts to help authors sell more audiobooks.”
“Apple is acting in its own self-interest, but also doesn’t seem to care about the law or the courts,” Ek continued, adding, “How long before we get rid of this threat to the future of the internet? How many more choices will consumers be denied? There’s a lot of talk. The conversation is helpful, but we need to take action.”
Ek’s latest comments come as prominent figures in the tech world once again speak out against Apple’s App Store, following Elon Musk’s recent comments.
Musk, the CEO of Tesla and Twitter, tweeted that Apple’s practices were “concerning” and recently accused Apple of silencing speech by requiring apps in its shop to adhere to certain content standards.
In one tweet, Musk specifically flagged the Twitter account of Apple CEO Tim Cook.
“Apple continues to get in the way.”
The music streaming platform, which launched its audiobook business in September, has been denouncing Apple’s “anti-competitive behaviour”.
In a blog post published in October, Spotify wrote: “Apple continues to hinder Spotify’s and other developers’ ability to provide a seamless user experience, and its restrictions hurt creators and consumers alike.”
According to the New York Times, Apple’s App Store rejected Spotify’s app three times in October, claiming that its new audiobook product violated Apple’s rules on how developers can communicate with customers about online purchases.
The two companies have been arguing over Apple’s App Store rules for nearly seven years, with Spotify slamming the Cupertino-based company for charging a 30 per cent fee
Spotify CEO Daniel Ek speaks during a press conference in New York on 20 May 2015. Spotify, which offers free on-demand or ad-free music to paying customers, said it will now also offer video content and podcasts. Reuters/Shannon Stapleton
Spotify Chief Executive Daniel Ek speaks during a press conference in New York May 20, 2015. Spotify, which offers free on-demand or ad-free music to paying customers, said it will now also offer video content and podcasts. Reuters/Shannon Stapleton
CFRA analyst John Freeman said Apple was “playing a dangerous game”, adding that the tech giant “had better have a really good reason for rejecting the app. Otherwise, people will be screaming bloody murder.”
The analyst noted that European regulators have begun an antitrust investigation into Apple’s App Store as Congress considers passing new laws to limit the company’s power.
“Spotify probably has a leverage point they can use,” Freeman said. “If I were them, I’d play the David and Goliath card.”
From a business perspective, however, it’s unlikely that any App Store competition will have much impact in the short term – even if Spotify is successful.
“I wouldn’t say [the situation] doesn’t really make sense, but it’s not in the top 5, close to the top 10, of Spotify’s problems,” Freeman said, referring to the platform’s problematic lack of profitability and the issues surrounding its software business.
Spotify’s share price has fallen nearly 70 per cent this year.
