Apple App Store will undergo a radical change in 2024. We’ve already seen this with the 27% commission given to third parties, and an even bigger change is coming in Europe from next March. And there are some companies that believe they will benefit greatly given these changes. Companies that have been fighting Apple for years not only with their services but also with their lawsuits. One of them is Spotify.

Spotify’s long-awaited victory. The Digital Markets Act (DMA) will come into force next March. And it’s a regulation that would ban some of Apple’s most controversial rules regarding its app store. Having complained about this dynamic for years and presenting their own claims to the European Union, European regulators have finally created legislation that will put an end to Apple’s implementation of certain Spotify strategies.

The DMA will force Apple to allow self-checkout in App Store apps. If you do not give permission, you will be subject to financial penalties of up to 10 percent of your annual turnover, which is an astronomical figure for Apple.

Spotify will offer its own offers and payments. Until now, Spotify did not offer the ability to pay or purchase within the app because Apple imposed a mandatory 30% commission. However, in accordance with the Digital Markets Law, this application will be banned as of March 7.

Faced with this, Spotify announced today that they can finally share information about offers, promotions and payment options.

New prices and audiobook purchases. Options Spotify is considering include new prices for Premium subscriptions, as well as direct purchases of audiobooks. They also open the door to offering artist merch sales, access to fan clubs, or event ticket sales.

Spotify complains that it’s not currently possible to switch from the free plan to the Premium plan in-app and that “we’re not even allowed to tell you how much our subscriptions cost.” Spotify plans to make multiple changes in this direction starting next March.

Apple is also planning its own changes. According to the Wall Street Journal, Apple is preparing for changes before the new European law comes. Specifically, new commissions and restrictions on downloading from outside the App Store also open the door to downloads beyond the direct app store.

With these changes, Apple may find a way to avoid some of the obligations imposed by the new regulation. However, it should be noted that DMA affects not only iOS but also the App Store.

Image | David Švihovec

in Xataka | After two difficult years, Spotify is profitable again: Price increase reaches target