Spotify will test Apple’s response to new European legislation aimed at preventing digital “gatekeepers” from taking anticompetitive actions.
In response to the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which takes effect on March 7, the music streaming giant has shared mockups of its iPhone and iPad app, including pricing, subscription offers, and in-app payments for EU iOS users.
The new regulations prohibit “anti-steering” by platform owners like Apple from discouraging app developers from offering other payment or subscription choices. The DMA also prohibits gatekeepers from forcing developers to use their payment services. 
Apple has yet to announce how it will respond to the new DMA rules, so Spotify’s announcement today is theoretical. Apple still controls the platform and may have some tricks to make life difficult for companies trying to exploit the DMA.
Spotify says some of these features will launch on March 7. The business recognized that Apple’s DMA compliance will determine how much of its ambition it can achieve.
Spotify has dreamed of letting customers swap plans, buy audiobooks, and download Spotify from other app shops or sideload.
Apple has banned us from telling you about deals, prices, or where to buy things for years, even in our app. We know, crazy. Spotify stated in a blog post that the DMA will allow it to disclose EU discounts, promotions, and improved payment methods.
If Spotify launches any of the mockups’ features on March 7, we’ll update the story.
Spotify’s vice president of markets and subscriber development, Gustav Gyllenhammar, told The Verge that if its planned improvements go through, the business may provide new podcast experiences.
Podcasting on iOS has had limitations since its inception. He informed the magazine that the app cannot promote restricted, exclusive, or improved content.
Spotify has terminated several shows and cut off podcasters in recent years. Spotify’s leadership is blamed for the low number of podcast cancellations by these workers’ unions.
Spotify and Apple have been having a public affair. It discontinued app-purchased subscriptions for iOS customers in 2016. Spotify discontinued App Store subscriptions last year.
The Epic vs. Google trial last year revealed that Spotify paid a 0% fee to Google if it utilized its own payment mechanism.
Apple has received regulatory scrutiny in the Netherlands, South Korea, Japan, and now the U.S. Despite permitting in-app subscription advertising and other payment processors, the corporation often discounts digital transactions by 3–4% on the App Store cost.
