Spotify branded Apple as a monopolist in its response to a wordy but insubstantial Apple statement about its App Store policies.
As I’m sure you know, Spotify officially complained about Apple’s illegal business practices in the EU and requested that the European Commission launch an antitrust investigation and put a halt to this behavior. The EU has agreed to investigate the charges. But Apple shot back with a lengthy but curious feeble and hypocritical response to the charges.
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Apple is a bully. And what it really wants is to change the conversation away from its obviously illegal behavior and to unrelated and unsubstantiated accusations against Spotify.
Which is pretty much what Spotify is now saying in its response to Apple’s response.
“Every monopolist will suggest they have done nothing wrong and will argue that they have the best interests of competitors and consumers at heart,” a Spotify statement notes. “In that way, Apple’s response to our complaint before the European Commission is not new and is entirely in line with our expectations.”
“We filed our complaint because Apple’s actions hurt competition and consumers, and are in clear violation of the law,” the statement continues. “This is evident in Apple’s belief that Spotify’s users on iOS are Apple customers and not Spotify customers, which goes to the very heart of the issue with Apple. We respect the process the European Commission must now undertake to conduct its review.”
I’d respect it a lot more if it would simply move more quickly: The EC has shown itself very interesting in moving aggressively against abusive U.S. tech giants. But the EU legal process is quite slow, and it could be years before Apple is officially charged with antitrust abuses. And it has a chance to cement its ill-gotten gains in music streaming by then.
provision l-3
<p>I think it would be really cool idea if you laid out the issues in a factual basis rather than quoting press releases and letting us know which quote you agree with. Spotify clearly has a case to make about unfair treatment of competitors and has inexplicably opted to include misleading /incorrect statements in their claim. Doing that serves as a distraction. Apple for its part has ignored the central issue of this and just gone after the softballs that Spotify lobbed out. Seems the correct thing to do is parse through the BS on both sides and get to the actual issues. </p>
BrianEricFord
<blockquote><em><a href="#413132">In reply to warren:</a></em></blockquote><p><br></p><p>Not all opinions are created equal, though. There’s nothing that prevents an opinion from being well argued. (Except not having a strong argument.)</p>
Stooks
<blockquote><em><a href="#413132">In reply to warren:</a></em></blockquote><p>It has been clear how Paul feels about Apple for 20+ years now. </p><p><br></p><p>I remember back when they were not the giant they are now and how he used to tout Microsoft numbers vs Apple all the time. He got a quiet during that days when the iPhone was making more money than all Microsoft products combined.</p>
BrianEricFord
<blockquote><em><a href="#413176">In reply to Andi:</a></em></blockquote><p><br></p><p>I came here because of an expertise surrounding Windows — and continue to visit despite a preoccupation with and lack of expertise in everything Apple. Not going to pretend that there’s actual critical analysis when it doesn’t exist, though.</p>
provision l-3
<blockquote><em><a href="#413152">In reply to toukale:</a></em></blockquote><p>I don't disagree with you but your point isn't really relevant to what I was saying. The tagline for this site says there is "analysis" and this coverage completely lacks that (biased or not). </p>
provision l-3
<blockquote><em><a href="#413173">In reply to kjb434:</a></em></blockquote><p>I didn't say it did. I said there was no analysis whatsoever.</p><p><br></p><p>And that may be why you read Thurrott but you don't speak for all readers. I have been reading for about 15 years and I mostly his opinions humors in a "old man yells at cloud" kinda way. That said, every so often he dwells on a subject, in this case Spotify, and his over the top hyperbole can't even save his rants. </p>
provision l-3
<blockquote><em><a href="#413174">In reply to Andi:</a></em></blockquote><p>Spotify has made factually incorrect statements which is stupid because they are solid footing for the crux of what I assume is their complaint. They actually haven't made their complaint to the EU public and have instead opted to use a PR campaign instead. </p><p><br></p><p><em>" Spotify should lodge complaints in the US where Apple is in the high 40's"</em></p><p><br></p><p>Spotify doesn't have a need to. This issue was heard by the U.S Supreme Court last November as part of Apple vs. Pepper and we are awaiting a ruling. Seems like you have some catching up to do on this whole subject. </p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>
skane2600
<blockquote><em><a href="#413161">In reply to truerock2:</a></em></blockquote><p>Apple's is no less leveraging other companies products to make money as those companies are leveraging Apple. A key part of Apple's iPhone and IPad success is the existence of third-party apps.</p>
Stooks
<blockquote><em><a href="#413161">In reply to truerock2:</a></em></blockquote><p>China has economical problems that are only growing and could balloon into a big collapse in the future. </p><p><br></p><p>Their military is large but down in the rank and file it is poorly equipped, poorly trained and forced membership with very low retention. Short of them being invaded on their mainland I doubt they could last very long outside their borders. </p><p><br></p><p>I do agree that this whole thing is stupid. Spotify is a second class citizen on my iPhone and so I use Apple Music. </p>
Stooks
<blockquote><em><a href="#413230">In reply to toukale:</a></em></blockquote><p>Lol. When stealth bombers drop 5k bunker busters on your data centers cyber breaks down pretty quick. </p><p><br></p><p>You spend end too much time reading RT propaganda news. </p>
Stooks
<blockquote><em><a href="#413302">In reply to wright_is:</a></em></blockquote><p>I am talking US vs China. I doubt very much Germany would be involved in a US/China conflict. Geographically not even close and the token German forces they might send would not matter.</p>
dontbe evil
<p>can't wait that all music services, video services (as soon apple present their platform) and news services (when apple will present their platform) will backup spotify… antitrust included</p><p><br></p><p>apple is acting as usual with arrogance</p>