"EU Slaps Apple with $2 Billion Fine for Anti-Competitive Behavior in Music Streaming Market"

The European Union has fined Apple €1.84 billion for breaching antitrust rules by imposing anti-steering provisions on music streaming apps in its App Store, preventing them from informing consumers about cheaper offers outside the platform. The penalty follows a complaint by Spotify and is focused on Apple's restrictions on music streaming services, with the EU finding that the rules harmed consumers by withholding critical information on prices and features. Apple has been ordered not to apply anti-steering provisions on music streaming apps and barred from doing so on any iOS apps under the Digital Markets Act. Apple has responded by attacking the EU's decision, while Spotify has welcomed the finding and renewed its complaint against Apple's practices.