Spotify will undergo major changes when it enters the European Union Digital Markets Act It comes into full force on March 7. The audio streaming service says that EU residents will eventually be able to buy a Premium subscription from the app itself, or upgrade from an Individual to a Duo or Family plan. Spotify has not allowed users to pay for subscriptions through Apple’s in-app payment system since 2016, and has long been a vocal critic of the iPhone maker’s 30 percent cut from app developers. Even last year Apple has stopped accepting payments overall — it allowed iOS users who subscribed before 2016 to continue paying through Apple’s in-app system.
As Spotify launches its own in-app payments, users will also be able to easily purchase audiobooks while browsing titles within the app. Yes, customers will be charged actual amounts for subscriptions and purchases and will no longer have to pay extra to cover Apple’s commission. Previously, users paying through Apple’s in-app system were charged $3 on top of Spotify’s subscription prices, but the EU’s DMA bans the practice.
In addition to being able to implement its own in-app payment system, Spotify will also be able to post in-app pricing. Currently, it displays a note that should have a price for its products and tells users that they cannot be purchased in-app. When the DMA goes into effect, Spotify will display the prices of its products, and it will also be able to start informing iOS users about deals and promotions within the app.
“It should be this easy for every Spotify customer everywhere,” the company said in its announcement. “But if you live outside of certain markets, you’ll continue to run into frustrating obstacles because of Apple’s ridiculous rules. That’s why developers everywhere keep asking other governments to pass their own laws like the DMA.”
