Spotify says Apple’s rules make buying an audiobook on Spotify “way too complicated and confusing”, adding that Apple changes its “rules randomly, making them impossible to interpret”. Apple charges up to 30 percent commission on purchases made in apps listed in the App Store, and prohibits certain developers from using or referring users to a third-party payment processor.
Spotify CEO Daniel Ek: “Apple has shown time and again that it is not self-regulating and has no real incentive to change”
As outlined in a web page Spotify was created specifically to support its cause, the company says Apple has rejected the proposed audiobook purchase process three times because it violated App Store policies.
Apple spokesperson Adam Dema responded to questions from The edge (you can read the full statement below) stating that the Spotify app “was rejected for not following guidelines regarding including explicit in-app communications to users outside the app to make digital purchases”, but that Apple “has no problem with reader apps adding audiobook content to their apps, redirecting users to websites to sign up for services, or communicating externally with customers about alternative purchase options.”
To comply with Apple’s rules, Spotify hides the price of its audiobooks and doesn’t let users buy content in the app. Instead, you select the book you want to buy and Spotify then emails you a link to check out on the web. This makes it more difficult to compare prices, which you only find out via email. Spotify says this process “harms not only consumers, but this time authors and publishers who are now under Apple’s thumb.” As my colleague Ariel Shapiro noted in a edition of Hot Pod Insiderthe process of buying an audiobook is “not the most elegant.”
“In the absence of government intervention — in Europe, the US or any other market in the world — Apple has shown time and again that it will not be self-regulating and has no real incentive to change,” Spotify CEO Daniel Ek said in a statement. declaration. a statement today. “With the launch of our Audiobooks, Apple has once again proved how bold it wants to be with its App Store rules, by constantly shifting the goalposts to put their competitors at a disadvantage.”
While Spotify could to make buying audiobooks easier by using Apple’s in-app purchase system, it would charge up to a 30 percent commission from Apple for every purchase. It would also make it harder for Spotify to compete with Apple Books.
Apple spokesperson Adam Dema sent The edge this statement in response:
The App Store is designed to be a great business opportunity for developers, and we fully support initiatives to introduce new features in apps that provide lasting value for users.
We have no problem with reader apps adding audiobook content to their apps, redirecting users to websites to sign up for services, or communicating externally with customers about alternative purchase options. The Spotify app was rejected for not following guidelines regarding including explicit in-app communications to refer users outside the app to make digital purchases. We gave them clear guidance on how to fix the issue and approved their app after making changes to ensure it was compliant.
Update October 26, 8:43 AM ET: Updated to add a statement from an Apple spokesperson.
