Music streaming service Spotify, along with other media firms such as Deezer, urged the European Commission to take action against Apple for anticompetitive and unfair practices, in a joint industry letter on Wednesday.
The letter, addressed to the European Union antitrust
regulator's Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, demanded the
Commission to act fast for the welfare of European consumers.
Spotify has for years accused Apple of abusing its market
position using its App Store rules to stifle competition.
It has previously submitted antitrust complaints against
Apple in various countries, alleging the 30 percent charge Apple requires
developers to pay on its App Store has forced Spotify to "artificially
inflate" its own prices.
"We are writing to you to call for swift and decisive
action by the European Commission against anticompetitive and unfair practices
by certain global digital gatekeepers, and Apple in particular," read the
letter, which was signed by chief executives of media firms Schibsted, Proton
and Basecamp.
Spotify's Chief Executive Daniel Ek had previously said the
iPhone maker "gives itself every advantage while at the same time stifling
innovation and hurting consumers".
Apple did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for
comment.
Last month, Ek renewed his attack on Apple in a series of
tweets alleging the iPhone maker "gives itself every advantage while at
the same time stifling innovation and hurting consumers". He had tagged a
number of sympathetic business leaders in his 21-tweet thread, including Musk,
Microsoft president Brad Smith, 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 had
tweeted. © Reuters
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