Spotify released a public statement after Apple’s Time Flies event to protest the newly announced Apple One bundle, stating it “threatens our collective freedoms to listen, learn, create, and connect.”
Apple on Tuesday announced a new services bundle with multiple tiers in order to help customers save on Apple subscription services. Moving the target from Spotify’s previous statement about Apple’s dominance somewhat, the company told AppleInsider and other venues that the bundle is an abuse of Apple’s dominant market position.
Once again, Apple is using its dominant position and unfair practices to disadvantage competitors and deprive consumers by favoring its own services. We call on competition authorities to act urgently to restrict Apple’s anti-competitive behavior, which if left unchecked, will cause irreparable harm to the developer community and threaten our collective freedoms to listen, learn, create, and connect.
The new complaint comes after months of antitrust accusations and litigation against Apple, and Spotify is one of the earliest to discuss the matter. Spotify themselves launched an anti-competitive suite against Apple in March 2019 in the EU as well.
Apple responded to Spotify’s allegations in a statement to Reuters reporter Stephen Nellis.
Customers can discover and enjoy alternatives to every one of Apple’s services. We’re introducing Apple One because it is a great value for customers and a simple way to access the full range of Apple’s subscription services. We’ll be recommending the Apple One plan that saves you the most money based on the subsriptions you already have. It’s perfect for anyone who loves any of our services and wants to get more for less, and it’s especially great for families. Also select services included in Apple One are availbel to enjoy on non-Apple devices, and you can cancel anytime.
It is unlikely such a statement would hold up in court, as Apple offers bundles and discounts to its competitors as well. Most recently Apple launched a discount bundle of Showtime and CBS All Access for $9.99 to all Apple TV+ subscribers.
Updated with statement from Apple