Spotify announced in September that it would add more than 300,000 audiobook titles to the platform, making it "a true all-in-one destination for everyone's listening needs." The Swedish company also stated that it plans to build and innovate the feature further in the future.
Spotify hopes that introducing this new audiobook offering will open up a huge opportunity for authors and publishers to connect with hundreds of millions of Spotify listeners worldwide.
A month after the announcement, Spotify issued a statement detailing how Apple's alleged anti-competitive behavior has harmed consumers, publishers, and authors of the newly added audiobook catalog. The company claims that "Apple continues to stand in the way of Spotify's and other developers' abilities to provide a seamless user experience, and its restrictions hurt both creators and consumers alike."
Spotify Accuses Apple of Anti-competitive Behavior
According to Spotify, Apple rejected its system for buying audiobooks three times because it claimed that Spotify broke one of its rules. In order to comply, it had to hide the audiobooks' cost and conduct sales through an email link instead of through the main app.
We believe consumers and creators win when competition is not only promised, but guaranteed. Here’s how Apple continues to stand in the way: https://t.co/85Q29LIDTj pic.twitter.com/1DjlQW0Go7
— Spotify News (@SpotifyNews) October 25, 2022
Spotify also claims that Apple's audiobook purchase flow rules are far too complex and confusing. According to Spotify, the Cupertino company's arbitrary rules are artificially limiting the platform's audiobook feature's growth.
According to the New York Times, the rejections are the latest development in the ongoing battle between Spotify and Apple. For almost seven years, the businesses have fought over Apple's app rules and its practice of charging a 30 percent fee on services and products sold by apps.
The audio streaming service even went so far as to claim that Apple is attempting to seize control of the entire Internet. Spotify's Daniel Ek even stated, "Apple continues to dictate what online innovation looks like, doing serious harm to the internet economy, choking competition and the imagination of app developers."
Spotify Objects Apple's App Store Rules
Spotify has already filed a complaint with the European Commission against Apple and is awaiting a decision. According to the CEO, this step taken by the company is critical because Apple has repeatedly demonstrated that it will not self-regulate and has no real incentive to change.
As per Engadget, the European Commission issued a Statement of Objections to Apple after concluding that Apple was possibly violating EU laws but has yet to issue a final decision.
"With our Audiobooks launch, Apple has once again proven just how brazen it is willing to be with its App Store rules, constantly shifting the goalposts to disadvantage their competitors," says Spotify's Ek.
Spotify urges policymakers to act quickly and boldly to end Apple's anti-competitive behavior, which harms small businesses attempting to establish a foothold in a market dominated by massive corporations such as Apple.
Stay posted here to be updated on the latest developments.
