Apple Set To Be Fined US$539 Million In EU Antitrust Probe

The European Union (EU) is reportedly gearing up to slap Apple with a massive US$539 (~RM2.58 billion) fine for allegedly breaking one of its laws regarding access to its music streaming services. This is in line with an antitrust probe the European body began back in 2019, after rival streaming service, Spotify, made a formal complaint.

The antitrust probe essentially investigated whether Apple blocked apps from informing iPhone users of cheaper alternatives to access music subscriptions outside the app store. As per an FT report, the European Commission is prepared to say that Apple’s actions are illegal and “go against the bloc’s rules that enforce competition in the single market”. Adding on to the fine, the Commission said that it is prepared to ban the fruit company’s practice of blocking alternative music streaming services.

It should come as no surprise when we tell you this, but this isn’t the first time the EU has fined Apple. Back in 2020, the company was ordered by France to pay a 1.1 billion Euros (~RM5.67 billion) fine for allegedly engaging in anti-competitive behaviour. That fine was revised down to 372 million Euros (~RM1.92 billion) after an appeal.

(Source: FT via Engadget)

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