Spotify CEO Slams Apple’s ‘Extortionate’ App Store Changes

New Delhi: In a recent blog post, Daniel Ek, the CEO of Spotify, has criticized Apple’s proposed changes to the EU App Store, calling them “vague and misleading.” Ek accused Apple of attempting to comply with the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA) through a plan he deems a “complete and total farce.”

Under Apple’s new proposal, developers would be required to pay a 0.50 Euro cent fee per download, every year, indefinitely. Ek labeled this as “extortion, plain and simple,” arguing that it adds an unnecessary financial burden on developers already subject to commission fees.

The CEO pointed out that even unused app downloads would incur this fee, potentially harming developers, start-ups, and those offering free apps the most. He questioned the practicality of such a system, particularly for apps that experience sudden viral growth.

For Spotify, these changes could significantly increase customer acquisition costs, impacting both free and paid app users. Despite the DMA’s impending enforcement in March, Apple claims its alterations aim to enhance privacy and security while allowing third-party app stores on iOS for the first time.

However, Ek’s criticism suggests a rocky road ahead for developers navigating Apple’s evolving App Store policies. As the tech giant and regulators continue to clash, the fate of app developers hangs in the balance.