New Spotify Features for U.S. Users
An April 30, 2025 order from a U.S. federal judge has loosened Apple’s iron grip on its App Store restrictions. This is a huge victory for consumers, artists, creators and authors.
Following the order and Apple’s approval of Spotify’s app update, Spotify rolled out the kinds of improvements that any app should be able to offer its users. Thanks to this landmark change, American users:
- Can finally see how much something costs in our app, including pricing details on subscriptions and information about promotions that will save money;
- Can click a link to purchase the subscription of choice, upgrading from a Free account to one of our Premium plans;
- Can seamlessly click the link and easily change Premium subscriptions from Individual to a Student, Duo, or Family plan;
- Can use other payment options beyond just Apple’s payment system—we provide a wider range of options on our website; and
- Going forward, this opens the door to other seamless buying opportunities that will directly benefit creators (think easy-to-purchase audiobooks)
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App Store Freedom Act
While the court decision is critical, more is needed to ensure Apple and others are held accountable and ensure free market choice for App Store users in the United States. The App Store Freedom Act, introduced in May 2025 by Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL), could open up more opportunities for companies to thrive, for creators to reach new audiences, and for Americans to have meaningful choice and control over their phones.
We expect Apple to fight — hard — against this important bill that could be a game-changer for American consumers. When similar laws were proposed in the past, Apple ramped up its lobbying spend in D.C., spending millions in 2022 alone to prevent the legislation’s success.
But Spotify and countless other developers will continue working with lawmakers to push back on Apple’s efforts.
US DOJ Investigation
In March 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a far-reaching federal lawsuit against Apple that says the company violated antitrust law by abusing its market dominance. The government’s decision to pursue legal action against Apple makes clear that Apple abuses its position in the market and that its anticompetitive practices harm consumers, developers, and creators.
Three Things To Know:
Why the DOJ’s lawsuit matters
The complaint represents a big step in the fight for a fair and competitive internet. It’s an important acknowledgment that Apple has denied U.S. consumers choice and lower cost options on several fronts for years.
What’s next in the U.S.
In a word, Congress. A swift resolution is critical, yet most expect that the legal process for the lawsuit will take time, likely several years. Apple was quick to say it would throw all its considerable resources at defending itself — sure to slow down the legal progress. Meanwhile, Apple won’t change its practices unless it is forced to. Absent stronger laws in the U.S. that rein in Apple’s abuse of its monopoly power, consumers and businesses will continue to lose out in the interim. It’s time for Congress to act.
FAQs
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Why is a law needed in the U.S.?
The country’s primary antitrust law dates back to 1890. The world has changed since then. Without targeted and enforceable new competition laws, Apple will continue to keep millions of consumers in the dark and choke competition for thousands of US developers.
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Would consumers benefit?
Nearly every consumer now owns a smartphone, and many use them as their primary means of accessing services on the internet. This means everyone is impacted. Consumers are losing out on choices, and Apple sees that they’re kept in the dark about competitive apps or better services.
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Why hasn’t the U.S. passed legislation yet?
This is an issue that has bipartisan support, and we are confident there is growing momentum in Congress for the need to stop the anticompetitive behavior that is harming consumers every day. Passing a bill is the best and fastest path to a fair digital future.
