Apple fined €1.8bn for breaking streaming rules

Apple has been hit with a record-breaking €1.8 billion fine for violating EU competition rules in its App Store. The European Commission found that Apple had abused its dominant position by imposing unfair terms on music streaming services that compete with its own Apple Music platform.

The Commission’s investigation revealed that Apple had limited the ability of Spotify and other music streaming services to inform their customers about alternative subscription options outside of the App Store, where Apple takes a 30% commission on all sales.

Apple has faced criticism from developers and regulators alike for its App Store policies, which many argue stifle competition and innovation. The $1.8 billion fine is the largest ever imposed by the EU in an antitrust case, highlighting the severity of Apple’s violations.

Apple has indicated that it plans to appeal the decision, but the ruling could have far-reaching implications for how tech giants operate in Europe and beyond. The case serves as a reminder that even the biggest companies in the world are not above the law when it comes to protecting competition and consumer choice.