EU could fine Apple $539 million after antitrust investigation into Spotify complaint

Apple may face a fine of around $539 million from the EU and a ban on anti-competitive practices in the App Store for music streaming services.

The publication FT refers to five unnamed sources and reports that the European Commission will announce its decision early next month.

The investigation is related to an antitrust complaint filed by Spotify in 2019 and concerns the App Store rules that at the time did not allow developers to direct customers to alternative subscription options outside the app, which could be cheaper without Apple's 30% commission. Apple later eased these restrictions. The Commission is expected to declare that Apple has violated EU antitrust laws and created "unfair trading conditions" for its competitors by introducing "anti-redirection obligations" in the App Store, reports Engadget.