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The
iPhone maker will set out its arguments to senior European
Commission officials and their peers at national competition
agencies at a closed hearing in Brussels.
EU antitrust enforcers earlier this year boosted their case
against the company's so-called anti-steering obligations, but
dropped an earlier charge against Apple's requirement that
developers use its in-app payment system.
The Commission said the anti-steering obligations breach EU
rules against unfair trading conditions, a relatively novel
legal argument in an antitrust case.
Apple has said there is no merit in the case triggered by a
Spotify complaint in 2019, pointing to the Swedish music
streaming service's dominant market share in Europe, where Apple
Music trails in third or fourth place in most EU countries.
Its other argument is that it has revised rules to allow reader
apps such as Spotify and Netflix to include links to their
website for sign-ups and user payments, allowing app developers
to bypass its controversial 30% App Store fee.
Reader apps provide content such as e-books, video and music
requiring payment at sign-up.
Spotify, which will also attend the hearing, urged a speedy
decision from the Commission. The EU executive said it never
comments on possible oral hearings or on their date.
(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Jan Harvey)
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