Spotify and Apple have been in a legal fight for years, and the music streaming app has always been at the forefront of criticizing Apple’s App Store policies. Last year, the European Commission voted in favor of Spotify and lashed back at Apple over uncompetitive practices. Spotify is now teaming up with Elon Musk and Twitter to challenge Apple’s policies. Ek has referred to his 2019 blog post, in which he criticizes App Store policies and said the iPhone maker is hurting the competition and consumers. In a long 21-tweet thread, Spotify CEO also mentioned some of the most significant business leaders and companies affected by Apple practices, including Elon Musk, Microsoft, Epic Games, and Proton founder Andy Yen. “So how much longer will we look away from this threat to the future of the internet? How many more consumers will be denied choice? There’s been a lot of talk. Talk is helpful but we need action.” Ek said.
Spotify & Twitter both have a bone to pick with Apple
Apple and Twitter disputes started after Elon Musk announced that Apple had threatened to remove the Twitter app from the App Store without even providing any reason. The richest man on the planet again renewed attacks on Apple on Monday over App Store 30% fees for in-app purchases. Musk even shared one of his famous memes, saying he prefers to go to war instead of paying fees to Apple. Musk is reportedly in talks with European Commissioner Thierry Breton about the issue. Of course, the two CEOs have recently had a meeting to resolve the problem, and maybe there is no need for European Commissioner intervention. Apple has not yet responded to Ek’s and Musk’s tweets, but they already said they use the 30% fee to protect consumers against fraud and enhance privacy. The iPhone maker is also facing criticism from US politicians, like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, over threats to remove Twitter from App Store. Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney, whose game Fortnite was removed from the App Store, called fighting Apple’s monopoly an “American issue transcending party politics.”
