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Spotify CEO Daniel Ek tells investors Apple's DMA rules are a 'farce'

TechCrunch · 1y ago

Spotify CEO Daniel Ek tells investors Apple's DMA rules are a 'farce'

Spotify CEO Daniel Ek criticized Apple's compliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), calling it "extortion" and a "farce." However, during the Q4 2023 earnings call with investors, Ek took a more subdued tone, stating there is no real downside for Spotify's business due to the new law. He mentioned that Spotify can remain on its current terms with Apple and there are potential "future upsides" that could be significant, such as the ability to leverage fan clubs and in-app purchases for audiobooks. Spotify still hopes for the European Commission to allow more innovation in the iOS ecosystem.

Related News

Very concerning: Elon Musk on new Apple App Store changes in EU

Economic Times

Economic Times · 1y ago

Very concerning: Elon Musk on new Apple App Store changes in EU

Elon Musk expressed concern about Apple's App Store changes in the European Union (EU), calling them "very concerning." This comes after Spotify CEO Daniel Ek criticized Apple's DMA announcement as vague and misleading. The changes include allowing third-party app stores on iOS for the first time, but the upcoming App Store tax remains a contentious issue. Musk had previously mentioned his intention to speak with Apple CEO Tim Cook to lower the App Store tax and maximize what creators receive.

Mark Zuckerberg hits out at Apple's 'onerous' new App Store rules

Business Insider

Business Insider · 1y ago

Mark Zuckerberg hits out at Apple's 'onerous' new App Store rules

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has criticized Apple's new App Store rules, calling them "so onerous" that he doubts any developer would choose to use them. Zuckerberg stated that he doesn't believe the changes will make a difference for Meta because of the way Apple has implemented them. He also mentioned that the changes are "at odds" with the intent behind the European Union's Digital Markets Act. Spotify CEO Daniel Ek has also criticized the changes, while Xbox president Sarah Bond called Apple's policy a "step in the wrong direction."

Apple reportedly faces its first EU antitrust fine

Business Insider

Business Insider · 1y ago

Apple reportedly faces its first EU antitrust fine

The European Union is expected to fine Apple approximately 500 million euros ($539 million) for allegedly breaching EU competition rules. The fine is a result of Apple's actions to hinder rival music streaming services from informing users about cheaper alternatives outside of the App Store. The investigation began after Spotify filed a complaint in 2019. Apple recently announced changes to comply with the Digital Markets Act, reducing the commission from 30% to 17%. Spotify CEO, Daniel Ek, criticized the changes, stating they could lead to astronomical fees for popular apps.

AI to spur more music creativity, not a threat: Spotify CEO

Economic Times

Economic Times · 3m ago

AI to spur more music creativity, not a threat: Spotify CEO

Spotify CEO Daniel Ek believes artificial intelligence will bolster music creativity rather than threaten it. While AI-generated music and concerns about fake artists have arisen, Ek is optimistic about AI's potential to lower barriers to music creation. Despite allegations of Spotify promoting AI-generated songs over human artists, Ek stresses the importance of human creativity. He views AI's role as evolutionary rather than revolutionary, expecting more people to engage in music creation due to accessible technology.

Spotify says Apple's plan to comply with EU regulation 'farce'

Economic Times

Economic Times · 1y ago

Spotify says Apple's plan to comply with EU regulation 'farce'

According to Spotify, Apple's plan to comply with EU regulations is a "farce." Spotify argues that Apple's proposed changes to allow users to set their own default music player on iOS 14 are not effective in promoting fair competition. Spotify claims that Apple still has control over the App Store and can limit functionality and offer unfair advantages to its own services. Spotify has been vocal about its concerns regarding Apple's alleged anti-competitive behavior in the past.

Spotify CEO Daniel Ek sure sounds like he's blaming his 1,500 job cuts on fake work and amateur execs

Business Insider

Business Insider · 1y ago

Spotify CEO Daniel Ek sure sounds like he's blaming his 1,500 job cuts on fake work and amateur execs

Spotify CEO Daniel Ek announced that the company will be cutting around 1,500 jobs, which accounts for about 17% of its global workforce. Ek cited the need for increased productivity and efficiency, criticizing the presence of "fake work" and irrelevant tasks. In addition to the layoffs, Spotify's Chief Financial Officer, Paul Vogel, will also be leaving the company, as Spotify aims to bring spending in line with market expectations. These measures suggest a shift towards the efficiency-focused mindset seen in larger tech firms.

Spotify CEO Daniel Ek is worth billions — but says he still feels 'inadequate every day'

Business Insider

Business Insider · 1y ago

Spotify CEO Daniel Ek is worth billions — but says he still feels 'inadequate every day'

Daniel Ek, the CEO of Spotify, admitted that he still feels inadequate every day, despite being a billionaire. In an interview, he shared that he constantly sees both problems and opportunities and feels impatient to address them. Ek tries to combat this feeling by surrounding himself with people he can learn from and share jokes with. He has been candid about his self-doubt and the struggle to be liked, emphasizing the importance of persistence and not conforming. Spotify, valued at $46 billion, has 239 million subscribers and a diverse revenue model.

Spotify sees 12% rise in paid subscribers - The Economic Times

Economic Times

Economic Times · 1m ago

Spotify sees 12% rise in paid subscribers - The Economic Times

Spotify experienced a 12% increase in paid subscribers, reaching 276 million in Q2 2025, but profits fell short of expectations mainly due to higher spending on salaries and social charges. Despite the profit shortfall, total revenue grew by 10.1% to 4.19 billion euros. The company, led by CEO Daniel Ek, is central to discussions on AI-generated music's impact, though Ek insists AI will spur creativity. The platform's active users rose 11% year-on-year to 696 million.

Spotify, Epic Games and others pen letter to EC, claiming Apple has made a 'mockery' of the DMA

TechCrunch · 1y ago

Several major technology companies, including Epic Games and Spotify, have submitted a formal complaint to the European Commission, accusing Apple of disregarding EU regulations and calling for action to protect developers. Apple's new rules, introduced to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), have been criticized for creating an uneven playing field. The companies argue that Apple's compliance with the DMA is in bad faith and go against both the spirit and letter of the law. The letter also states that Apple's scare screens mislead customers and the DMA should allow for alternative app stores and sideloading. Apple has recently published a whitepaper outlining its DMA compliance solutions.

Spotify to lay off 17% of staff, its third round of job cuts this year

Livemint

Livemint · 1y ago

Spotify to lay off 17% of staff, its third round of job cuts this year

Spotify is set to lay off around 1,500 employees, which constitutes about 17% of its workforce, in an effort to bolster profitability. CEO Daniel Ek stated that the company is still spending excessive amounts despite cost-cutting measures. Spotify, like other tech firms, experienced growth during the pandemic, but is now facing investor pressure to prioritize profitability over expansion. This is the third round of significant layoffs for Spotify this year as it looks to streamline operations and strategically invest its profits.

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