Spotify Accuses Apple of Sabotaging Spotify Connect, Violating EU Digital Markets Act

Spotify Accuses Apple of Sabotaging Spotify Connect, Violating EU Digital Markets ActThe complex relationship between Spotify and Apple has once again hit a snag. In the latest dispute, Spotify claims Apple has sabotaged a key aspect of its Spotify Connect feature (that allows users to seamlessly switch music playback across different devices): volume key control

Spotify Accuses Apple of Sabotaging Spotify Connect, Violating EU Digital Markets Act

The complex relationship between Spotify and Apple has once again hit a snag. In the latest dispute, Spotify claims Apple has sabotaged a key aspect of its Spotify Connect feature (that allows users to seamlessly switch music playback across different devices): volume key control.

Volume key operation may seem trivial, but it is crucial for audio apps. According to Spotify, recent changes made by Apple have caused this functionality within its Spotify Connect feature to malfunction. Previously, users could adjust the volume using the physical buttons on the side of their iPhones when streaming to connected devices via Spotify Connect on iOS. Now, this functionality is gone, and users are limited to using the volume slider within the Spotify Connect menu to control the volume on connected devices.

Spotify claims that this move by Apple constitutes another violation of the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), specifically Article 6(7), which stipulates that "gatekeepers shall allow providers of services... to interoperate free of charge and effectively with the same hardware and software functionalities, and to access such functionalities for interoperability purposes, as are accessed or controlled through the operating system... that are the same as those provided by the gatekeepers own services or hardware."

Apples own HomePod and AppleTV integrate with iPhones in a unique way, allowing users to control the volume of these devices with the iPhone's volume buttons. Spotify says it has requested Apple to introduce a similar solution for third-party developers, akin to what is already available to users of Apple HomePod or AppleTV devices. However, Apple told Spotify that its app needs to integrate with HomePod to access the technology to control the volume on iPhones.

It is unclear if a more comprehensive integration of Spotify with HomePod or AppleTV would resolve its Spotify Connect issue, but it is an interesting proposed remedy.

IT Home notes that in response to the impact of this change on users, Spotify has rolled out a new feature in its iOS app that detects when the volume buttons are pressed while using Spotify Connect. Upon detection, the app will send a notification, guiding users to use the in-app volume control.

Spotify claims Apple has broken Spotify Connect functionality, breaching the EU's Digital Markets Act, by changing the volume key control functionality, which prevents users from adjusting the volume using the physical buttons on their iPhones. Spotify believes Apple should provide a solution similar to the one offered for HomePod and AppleTV devices, enabling third-party apps to access volume control features.

Beyond user experience, Spotify underscores the legal implications of Apples practices, arguing that they violate the EU's Digital Markets Act provisions relating to interoperability.

This dispute reflects the long-standing competitive dynamic between Spotify and Apple, highlighting the latter's control over the iOS ecosystem.

While Spotify has taken measures to mitigate the negative impact on user experience, this dispute could further strain relations between Spotify and Apple, potentially sparking wider discussions about the extent to which platform companies should be able to restrict third-party apps.