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Apple Music Media Spotify

Apple Music refutes Spotify competition aspirations

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By John Glenday, Reporter

July 4, 2016 | 1 min read

Apple has refuted aspersions from music streaming rival Spotify that it had sought to undermine competition in the sector by unfairly rejecting an update to Spotify’s iPhone app.

Spotify asserts that Apple’s rejection of its app raises "serious concerns" over competition law in both the US and EU.

Apple blocked the new app over a revision which saw it remove in-app purchases and introduce an external account sign-up feature, functions which would have allowed Spotify to cut out Apple as a middleman.

The two businesses have been at loggerheads since the launch of Apple Music last year amidst concern that Apple’s app subscription revenues give it an unfair advantage over its competitors.

Apple general counsel Bruce Sewell retorted: “We understand that you [Spotify] want special treatment and protections from competition, but we simply will not do that because we firmly adhere to the principle of treating all developers fairly and equitably.”

Apple Music Media Spotify

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