The European Union is taking steps to address concerns about the responsibilities of Big Tech companies towards the public. The EU’s antitrust chief, Margrethe Vestager, continues to prioritize the issue by favoring the dominant music streaming service in the EU and urging Apple to allow Spotify’s latest update.
Spotify’s iOS app includes a link to its website, allowing EU users to see different pricing options. Although previously blocked by Apple, this feature is now permitted under EU regulations. However, Spotify has complained that Apple is still obstructing the update.
Vestager, in an interview with CNBC, emphasized the importance of consumers having choices. She highlighted that users should be able to interact directly with their service providers and pay the price they’re asking for, without any additional surcharge imposed by Apple.
Contrary to popular belief, Spotify doesn’t pay a 30% fee for all its customers. The 30% fee applies only to the first year of a maintained subscription, and it reduces to 15% for subscribers held for over a year. Nonetheless, Spotify has been emphasizing this 30% fee in various blog posts and court filings.
Vestager stressed the high priority of compelling Apple to comply with the EU regulations, and she emphasized ongoing investigations into this matter. She also expressed concerns about the compliance of other Big Tech firms, including Google and Meta, stating that the EU suspects these companies of not fulfilling their obligations.
Addressing the accusations of smartphone monopolies, Vestager clarified that the EU’s focus is on European markets and that she is not involved in the DOJ case in the United States. Regarding smartphones, Vestager pointed out that high-end and affordable phones operate in separate markets, and it is crucial to consider these distinctions.
Vestager also discussed the risks of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly during the election year. She highlighted the need for AI providers to be cautious and ensure the detection and management of artificial content and deep fakes to protect the integrity of elections.
In March 2024, the EU initiated multiple investigations into potential violations of the Digital Markets Act by Apple, Google, and Meta. These actions reflect the EU’s determination to ensure that Big Tech companies fulfill their obligations and maintain fair competition within the digital markets.
欧盟正采取措施解决人们对大型科技公司责任的关切。欧盟的反垄断主管玛格丽特·维斯塔格（Margrethe Vestager）继续优先处理该问题，她支持欧盟内占据主导地位的音乐流媒体服务，并敦促苹果允许Spotify的最新更新。
Spotify的iOS应用程序包含一个指向其网站的链接，允许欧盟用户查看不同的定价选项。尽管此前被苹果阻止，根据欧盟法规，现在允许此功能。然而，Spotify抱怨苹果仍在阻碍这次更新。
维斯塔格在接受CNBC采访时强调了消费者拥有选择的重要性。她强调用户应该能够直接与他们的服务提供商进行互动，并支付他们所要求的价格，而不会受到苹果征收的额外费用的限制。
与大家普遍认为的不同，Spotify并不为其所有客户支付30%的费用。30%的费用仅适用于维持订阅第一年的用户，对于订阅一年以上的用户，费用减至15%。尽管如此，Spotify在各种博客文章和法庭文件中一直强调这30%的费用。
维斯塔格强调了迫使苹果遵守欧盟法规的优先性，并强调正在就此问题进行的调查。她还对其他大型科技公司，包括谷歌和Meta的合规性表示担忧，并表示欧盟怀疑这些公司没有履行他们的义务。
针对智能手机垄断的指控，维斯塔格澄清了欧盟的重点是欧洲市场，她没有参与美国司法部的案件。关于智能手机，维斯塔格指出高端手机和经济手机操作在不同的市场，考虑这些区别是至关重要的。
维斯塔格还讨论了人工智能（AI）的风险，尤其是在选举年期间。她强调了AI提供商需要谨慎，并确保检测和管理人工内容和深度伪造，以保护选举的完整性。
2024年3月，欧盟对苹果、谷歌和Meta可能违反数字市场法的行为展开了多项调查。这些行动反映了欧盟确保大型科技公司履行义务并在数字市场内保持公平竞争的决心。
Key Terms/Definitions:
1. Big Tech companies: 大型科技公司
2. Antitrust: 反垄断
3. Dominant music streaming service: 占主导地位的音乐流媒体服务
4. iOS app: iOS应用程序
5. EU regulations: 欧盟法规
6. Surcharge: 附加费
7. Blog posts: 博客文章
8. Court filings: 法庭文件
9. Digital Markets Act: 数字市场法
10. Fair competition: 公平竞争
Related Links:
1. Apple官网
2. Spotify官网
3. 欧盟委员会关于数字市场法的声明