Apple allows music apps to offer payments outside App Store in the EU

Apple announced late Friday that it will allow music-streaming apps in the EU to inform users of payment alternatives outside the iOS App Store — in an effort to comply with European Commission demands.

In early March, Apple was fined more than €1.8 billion by EU regulators for "abusive" App Store rules that may have increased prices for streaming subscriptions.

EU antitrust regulators found that Apple's restrictions prevented apps such as Spotify from informing iPhone and iPad users about alternative and cheaper music subscription services available outside the App Store — practices the EU defined as "anti-steering provisions."

Apple initially said it would appeal the EU's fine. "While we respect the European Commission, the facts simply don’t support this decision," Apple said in a March 4 statement, pointing to its claim of the EU’s "failure to uncover any credible evidence of consumer harm."

But on Friday, the Cupertino-based company updated its App Store guidelines to comply with the Commission's requests, allowing music-streaming apps to include a link or button that leads to information about alternative music-purchase options.

However, the new App Store rules include a 27 percent Apple "commission" if the sale is made within seven days of the user opening the link leading out of the App Store.

"We are currently assessing whether Apple has fully complied with the decision," Commission spokesperson for competition Lea Zuber said in an emailed statement Saturday.