Apple’s legal troubles are deepening in the United States, with a recent court order forcing the tech giant to stop collecting fees on purchases made outside its App Store — a decision that has significant ripple effects for global app developers. Music streaming platform Spotify has become one of the first to take advantage of the new legal opening, allowing users to subscribe via external links, bypassing Apple’s usual 30% commission.
With the release of its latest iOS app update (version 9.0.40), Spotify has enabled direct external links for payments. This means users in the U.S. can now view alternative pricing plans and subscribe without using Apple’s in-app payment system. The move is expected to not only reduce costs for subscribers but also enable Spotify to better support features like audiobook purchases and other content-specific transactions outside the app.
Spotify expressed frustration over the delay in implementing this change, pointing out that a previous court ruling had already allowed for external links nearly four years ago. The company criticized Apple’s tactics as monopolistic and self-serving, arguing that such restrictions have long hindered innovation and limited user choice.
This legal shift follows an intensified pushback from tech firms, led initially by game developer Epic Games. Their earlier lawsuit against Apple challenged the App Store’s closed payment system, and the court had already ruled in Epic’s favour in 2021. Now, the latest judgment reinforces that Apple cannot block external payment options or impose fees on them.
As part of the broader reaction, Epic Games has announced new zero-commission policies for developers using its own Epic Games Store, along with a launch of external webshops next month to facilitate direct purchases.
Despite agreeing to follow the new legal directive, Apple has stated it will appeal the decision. The ruling adds to Apple’s ongoing legal challenges, including a separate case in the UK, where the company was recently ordered to pay over $500 million in damages in a patent infringement dispute.
For Indian developers and app users, this global shift could serve as a preview of things to come, as regulators across countries—including India—examine the dominance of major app marketplaces and their commission models. If similar changes were adopted here, platforms like Spotify, YouTube, and even homegrown services could potentially offer more affordable subscription options to Indian users by cutting out intermediary fees.
