Apple got a European Union complaint over app payment rules, drawing one of the world’s toughest antitrust enforcers into a global battle over fees for downloads on smartphones and tablets. The European Commission sent a so-called statement of objections to Apple on Friday, laying out how it thinks Apple abused its power as the key provider of music-streaming apps on its App Store. The case backs complaints from Spotify Technology, which accuses Apple of imposing its in-app purchase system to take a cut of its subscription fees. “Apple is a gatekeeper to users of iPhones and iPads via the App Store,” EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said in a press release. “By setting strict rules on the App store that disadvantage competing music streaming services, Apple deprives users of cheaper music streaming choices and distorts competition.” The move signals the start of another Apple showdown with Vestager, more than four years after she ordered the company to pay billions of dollars in back-taxes to Ireland. Apple’s regulatory woes have intensified in recent months as software developers criticise the levies Apple and Alphabet’s Google charge outside developers for using their digital distribution platforms. Vestager took aim at Apple’s “high commission fees on each transaction in the App Store for rivals” and a ban on them “informing their customers of alternative subscription options”. Spotify complained in 2019 that Apple unfairly squeezes its music streaming service with ever-changing rules and a large sales commission on the app store. It has said it was forced to “artificially” increase monthly subscriptions for its premium service to cover the extra costs. Apple hit back, saying the EU’s “argument on Spotify’s behalf is the opposite of fair competition” and it was “proud for the role” it played in making Spotify the largest music subscription service in the world, a spokesperson said in a statement. “Spotify does not pay Apple any commission on over 99 per cent of their subscribers, and only pays a 15 per cent commission on those remaining subscribers that they acquired through the App Store,” it said. “No store in the world” allows alternative deals to be advertised as Spotify is seeking from its iOS app, it said. 5G iPhones push Apple to record second quarter in China “They want all the benefits of the App Store but don’t think they should have to pay anything for that,” Apple said. Apple reacted last year by halving the fees it charges to most developers who sell software and services on the App Store. It lowered a fee to 15 per cent from 30 per cent for developers who generate as much as US$1 million in yearly revenue from their apps and those who are new to the store. Apple says many apps pay no fees in return for the company’s efforts to host and maintain the security of the store. The move to send Apple a statement of objections raises the risk that the EU could order changes to its App Store or impose fines. Apple will have the chance to argue its case against any EU suspicions before regulators take a final decision. The EU has also been probing Apple over e-books and payments since last year. The EU and Apple are separately waging a legal battle over a 13 billion-euro (US$15.7 billion) tax dispute after the company won a first judgment overturning a landmark 2016 order for it to pay extra tax. The EU had ruled Apple’s tax deals with Ireland illegal. Apple has said it always obeyed the law.