Apple says Spotify is looking for special treatment in the App Store
- jul
- 01
Apple has hit back at Spotify's accusations that it is using the App Store review process as "a weapon" in order to boost Apple Music. The company says that it applies its rules equally to all developers, and that Spotify is pushing for special treatment.
From a letter from Apple chief counsel Bruce Sewell to Spotify, obtained by Buzzfeed:
"Our guidelines apply equally to all app developers, whether they are game developers, e-book sellers, video-streaming services or digital music distributors; and regardless of whether or not they compete against Apple. We did not alter our behavior or our rules when we introduced our own music streaming service or when Spotify became a competitor," Sewell explains. "Ironically, it is now Spotify that wants things to be different by asking for preferential treatment from Apple."
Spotify recently claimed that Apple was using the App Store review process in order to block an update to the streaming service's app. The app was apparently rejected for violating App Store "business model rules."
The issue at hand is Spotify's attempt to add an account sign-up button to the app while removing the in-app purchase option, something that Sewell said was "clearly intended to circumvent Apple's in-app purchase rules." While companies can offer subscriptions outside of the store, they are not allowed to advertise their alternate subscription methods within their apps.
Sewell went on to say that should Spotify submit a version of the app that complies with App Store guidelines, that he would be happy to help get it approved.