Apple hit with massive $2 billion EU fine over music streaming conduct

On Monday, March 4, the European Union issued a press release announcing the imposition of a high fine on the American company Apple. All because of actions contrary to European antitrust rules.

The European Union announced that the fine imposed on the technology giant is over EUR 1.8 million. It is the result of Apple's illegal, from the EU perspective, action to favor its music streaming services in the App Store without informing iOS users about other, cheaper alternatives.

"The European Commission has fined Apple over €1.8 billion for abusing its dominant position on the market for the distribution of music streaming apps to iPhone and iPad users (‘iOS users') through its App Store. In particular, the Commission found that Apple applied restrictions on app developers preventing them from informing iOS users about alternative and cheaper music subscription services available outside of the app", says European Commission on its official website.

As the European Union points out in its statement, Apple engaged in these illegal practices for almost ten years, which may have resulted in much higher costs for users than they otherwise would have been.

The company founded by Steve Jobs announced in a statement quoted by Reuters that it intended to appeal to the court to punish the company, noting that no irrefutable evidence of harm to users had been discovered.

Sources: CBS News, European Commission