Observed Signal · Jun 17, 2020 · Regulation · Source: OnlineMarketing.de · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
EU Probes Apple Over Antitrust Allegations
The European Commission has opened antitrust investigations into Apple, accusing the tech giant of abusing its market position in app distribution and potentially distorting competition to favor its own services. The probe follows a formal complaint from Spotify, which alleges that Apple charges up to 30% of profits from App Store sales and subscriptions, disadvantaging developers. Margrethe Vestager, EU Competition Commissioner, stated that Apple’s gatekeeper role must not distort competition in markets where Apple competes with others. Apple disputed the accusations, claiming it follows the law and maintains stricter policies to protect users. The New York Times reported the investigation began recently, though the exact outcome remains uncertain. The case underscores ongoing regulatory scrutiny of major platform power and could influence future rules governing online platforms and app ecosystems.
Antitrust regulatory investigation of a major platform could influence app ecosystem dynamics in AdTech/MarTech.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- EU Commission opened antitrust investigations into Apple over its gatekeeper role in app distribution.
- Spotify filed a complaint alleging Apple charges up to 30% of profits from App Store sales and in-app subscriptions.
- Margrethe Vestager stated the need to ensure Apple's rules do not distort competition.
- Apple denied the allegations, saying it follows the law and prioritizes user safety with stricter policies.
- The New York Times reported the investigation began recently.
Connected Companies & Entities
3 Entities mappedRelated Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
TSMC Q3 Revenue Up 51% to Record, Stock Falls
TSMC reported a 51% increase in third-quarter revenue to 1.49 trillion Taiwan dollars (EUR 41.7 billion), surpassing expectations. The semiconductor giant, a key supplier to Apple and Nvidia, continues to benefit from the AI boom and strong chip demand. However, the stock declined despite the record results. The company plans to invest EUR 52-56 billion in expanding its manufacturing facilities this year, including a joint venture with Sony for image sensors. TSMC's market capitalization is approximately USD 2.45 trillion, making it the most valuable company outside the US. The company's growth is also boosting Taiwan's economy, with exports rising over 70% in August and GDP expected to grow 11% in 2026.
Musician sentenced for AI streaming fraud
A 54-year-old musician in the US has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for orchestrating a large-scale streaming fraud scheme. Using up to 10,000 bots, thousands of fake accounts, and thousands of AI-generated songs, he manipulated streaming platforms such as Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube between 2017 and 2024. The fraudulent streams generated millions in royalty payments. At one point, his songs achieved 80.9 million streams in April, far surpassing Taylor Swift's 9.3 million. The court also ordered him to repay over $8 million. His defense argued that no musicians were directly harmed, but prosecutors countered that real artists and fans were deprived of royalties.
OAAA Launches Programmatic Center of Excellence for DOOH
AI is pushing advertising back into physical spaces due to declining trust in online content, the rise of AI answer engines that bypass websites, and the growth of agentic AI. Out-of-home (OOH) and digital out-of-home (DOOH) advertising are gaining renewed relevance, with US OOH revenue up 10.7% YoY to $3.16B in Q2 and DOOH up 18.5%, representing nearly 40% of category revenue. To guide this evolution, the OAAA has launched a Programmatic & Automation Center of Excellence led by COO Patrick Dolan, focusing on standardization, workflow automation, agentic AI, reporting/attribution, and omnichannel/retail media integration. The initiative aims to automate both programmatic and static OOH processes, addressing friction points. However, this trend raises concerns about consumer opt-out options and the over-commercialization of public spaces, as noted by Ezra Klein.
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