European Commission 'Concerned' About Apple's Streaming Music Plans

European regulators are scrutinizing Apple's discussions with record labels for its much-rumored streaming music service, according to Financial Times. The report claims the European Commission has contacted several labels and digital music companies to request information about their agreements with Apple, although these actions do not guarantee it will launch a formal antitrust investigation.

beats-music-app-ios
The report, citing people familiar with the matter, claims that the European Commission is "concerned" that Apple will use its size and influence to persuade the music groups to abandon free, ad-supported services such as Spotify. Apple has nearly 1 billion iTunes users, and the company could face hefty fines and be required to change its business practises if committed of wrongdoing.

Apple is expected to launch a revamped streaming music service at WWDC in June, although it will reportedly not offer a free, ad-supported streaming option like Spotify and some other competitors offer. The service will reportedly be deeply integrated into iTunes on Mac and the stock Music app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, and apps will also be available for Apple TV and Android.

Popular Stories

iCloud General Feature Redux

iPhone Users Who Pay for iCloud Storage Receive a New Perk

Thursday March 20, 2025 12:01 am PDT by
If you pay for iCloud storage on your iPhone, Apple has a new perk for you, at no additional cost. The new perk is the ability to create invitations in the Apple Invites app for the iPhone, which launched in the App Store last month. In the Apple Invites app, iCloud+ subscribers can create invitations for any occasion, such as birthday parties, graduations, baby showers, and more. Anyone ...
iPhone 17 Pro Render Front Page Tech

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 10 New Features

Sunday March 23, 2025 10:00 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. iPhone 17 Pro's alleged design via Front Page Tech Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of March 2025: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone...
Generic iOS 19 Feature Mock

iOS 19 Coming in June With These New Features

Thursday March 20, 2025 2:04 pm PDT by
While the first iOS 19 beta is still more than two months away, there are already plenty of rumors about the upcoming software update. Below, we recap the key iOS 19 rumors so far. visionOS-Like Design In January, the YouTube channel Front Page Tech revealed a redesigned Camera app that is allegedly planned for iOS 19. According to Front Page Tech host Jon Prosser, the Camera app...
iOS 18

Top 5 New Features Coming in iOS 18.4

Friday March 21, 2025 3:26 pm PDT by
We're not getting new Siri Apple Intelligence features in iOS 18.4 as expected, but the upcoming update does have quite a few new additions that will be worth upgrading for. We've rounded up the five best features to look forward to, and if you're not running the beta, you can expect to get access to these in early April. Priority Notifications If you have an iPhone or iPad that supports...
Windows Vista

Apple Might Be Having Its Windows Vista Moment, Says Analyst

Thursday March 20, 2025 6:52 am PDT by
Is Apple experiencing a "Vista-like drift into systemically poor execution?" That was a question posed by well-known technology analyst Benedict Evans, in a recent blog post covering Apple's innovation and execution, or seemingly lack thereof as of late. He is referring to Microsoft's Windows Vista operating system, which was widely criticized when it launched in 2007 due to software bugs,...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro teal 1

Apple Says iPhone Driver's Licenses Coming to These 8 U.S. States, But Rollout Remains Slow

Wednesday March 19, 2025 6:55 am PDT by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Unfortunately, this feature continues to roll out very slowly. It has been three and a half years since Apple first announced the...
iPhone 17 Pro Render Front Page Tech

Latest iPhone 17 Pro Dummies Highlight Apple's New Part-Glass Design

Thursday March 20, 2025 5:27 am PDT by
Seasoned leaker Sonny Dickson has shared more dummy models of Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 series, with the latest lot revealing a noticeable shift in Apple's iPhone Pro model design that goes beyond the much-talked-about new rear camera bar. Dickson points out that the iPhone 17 Pro dummy models feature an outlined area on the back, beginning just below the camera module and extending to the...
airpods pro 2 gradient

AirPods Pro 3 Launch Now Just Months Away: Here's What We Know

Tuesday March 18, 2025 9:13 am PDT by
Despite being released over two years ago, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 continue to dominate the wireless earbud market. However, with the AirPods Pro 3 expected to launch in 2025, anyone thinking of buying Apple's premium earbuds may be wondering if the next generation is worth holding out for. Apart from their audio and noise-canceling performance, which are generally regarded as excellent for...
airtag orange

Apple's Next Product is Likely an AirTag 2 With These New Features

Thursday March 20, 2025 2:30 pm PDT by
Following the introduction of the iPhone 16e, new iPads and Macs, and some new accessories over the past month, what will Apple's next product announcement be? Based on rumors, a second-generation AirTag item tracker is likely next up. Last year, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that a new AirTag would be released around the middle of 2025. More recently, a leaker known as Kosutami claimed...

Top Rated Comments

sdz Avatar
130 months ago
These are the same people that approved the purchase of Beats, correct? What did they think Apple was going to do? Of course Apple is going to release a streaming service. Why is that a concern now and not when they approved the purchase? Seems silly to me, but I am sure there is more to it than I am aware of, or at least I hope so.
If they integrate streaming right into iOS (which makes sense) then this would lead to an antitrust investigation I guess.

At this time it is only an App (Beats) which needs to be installed by the customer and it is not available in the EU.

Maybe this will be another record penalty for the EU. It serves them right. Apple is a tax cheater. I hate them for that.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MH01 Avatar
130 months ago
Interesting how everyone is defending apple and having a dig at the EU commission without knowing the facts.

Wonder if these same people will also complain when their free spotify or other service that is funded by ads loses labels.

Think of the consequences that this article is hinting at.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Porco Avatar
130 months ago
Apple should just make what they do great and let others worry about trying to do the same, not try to leverage their power to undermine other companies' business models. Not only could it get them in hot water again, it's just plain wrong.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Menel Avatar
130 months ago
And our EU forum friends wonder why they don't always get the full suite of Apple features.

----------

I imagine this might go like Microsoft and IE in Europe years ago where MS was prohibited from bundling IE with Windows.
Microsoft had 90+% market share.
vs
iOS has a mere 20% market share. They aren't anywhere close to abusing any sort of monopoly position. They don't have anything that looks remotely like a monopoly position.
http://www.idc.com/prodserv/smartphone-os-market-share.jsp

The EU going after them, is merely a money grab by corrupt politicians.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
RJCP Avatar
130 months ago
As a European citizen, this continent's technological advance is crippled by Medieval bureaucratic non-sense. Take the UK for example, with less than 20 banks and yet Apple hasn't managed to overcome all the bureaucratic obstacles to launch apple pay. Yet the same banks are happily pushing contactless payment cards which allow you to pay without any sort of security or authentication.

Rumour has it that Apple is working with NHS to try and modernise the hospital system. Boy, is Apple in for a lifetime of frustration...
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zin Avatar
130 months ago
So you can investigate companies because you have concerns over something they might do in the future? Does the EC have specific evidence that Apple is trying to kill off ad-supported streaming music?

Prevention is the best medicine.

The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit to block AT&T's proposed takeover of T-Mobile because after the merger they suspected AT&T would raise prices and abuse their more powerful market position.

The EC is attempting to collect evidence. If they don't find any then they won't launch a formal antitrust investigation.

What's so bad about that?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)