Spotify has accused Apple of potentially violating European regulations, specifically the Digital Markets Act (DMA), by discontinuing technology that enables Spotify users to control the volume on their connected devices. This move by Apple affects Spotify Connect users on iOS, as they can no longer utilize the physical buttons on their iPhones to adjust the volume.
To address this issue, Spotify iOS users are now required to use the volume slider within the Spotify Connect menu in the app to control the volume on their connected devices. This change will come into effect on September 3 globally.
According to Spotify, this change only affects Spotify Connect users on iOS and not those using Bluetooth or AirPlay sessions on iOS or Spotify Connect on Android. The company asserts that the discontinuation of this technology by Apple may breach the DMA regulations, particularly Article 6(7), related to interoperability obligations imposed on gatekeepers like Apple.
Spotify requested Apple to provide a similar solution for third-party developers as offered to users of Apple HomePod or Apple TV, but Apple insisted on integrating with HomePod for such access. This restricts Spotify from using the same technology as Apple Music on iOS, unlike how other companies manage access to similar features.
Spotify claims that the technology they were utilizing for Spotify Connect was already unreliable before being phased out, leading to issues like volume spikes. The new in-app volume slider is expected to provide a more stable and consistent volume control experience.
For more information on these changes, users can visit Spotify’s Customer Support page. Apple has not yet responded to requests for comment on this matter.
