Apple Fires Back At Spotify For Asking For ‘Preferential Treatment’

Yesterday we reported that Spotify’s lawyers had sent Apple’s lawyers a letter which basically complained about how Apple reportedly rejected Spotify’s app update. Spotify claims that Apple was using this (the app store approval process) as a “weapon” to help prevent competitors of Apple Music from getting ahead.

Apple however claimed that Spotify needed to include the option to allow users to subscribe from within the app, which Spotify isn’t too thrilled about as it means Apple getting a 30% cut. That being said, it seems that Apple has responded to Spotify’s letter with a letter of their own obtained by the folks at BuzzFeed News.

According to the letter from Apple’s general counsel Bruce Sewell, “We find it troubling that you are asking for exemptions to the rules we apply to all developers and are publicly resorting to rumors and half-truths about our service. Our guidelines apply equally to all app developers, whether they are game developers, e-book sellers, video-streaming services or digital music distributors; and regardless of whether or not they compete against Apple.”

It has been pointed out that Spotify currently charges $12.99 via in-app subscriptions which is about 30% higher than if you were to subscribe via their website, presumably to cover the 30% cut from Apple, which has been that way for a while, so we’re not sure what changed.

Sewell then adds, “I would be happy to facilitate an expeditious review and approval of your app as soon as you provide us with something that is compliant with the App Store’s rules.”

Tyler Lee
Categories: Apple, Audio
Tags: Apple Music, Apps, Spotify