The update was intended to incorporate features that allow users to make purchases through external links, a capability now permissible under European legislation.
The halt was communicated through an App Review email sent to Spotify, which detailed that the streaming service had not adhered to the necessary conditions of the Music Streaming Services Entitlement for the European Economic Area (EEA). This entitlement is crucial as it permits music streaming apps to direct customers to their own purchasing mechanisms outside of Apple's in-app purchase system.
According to the email, which AppleInsider has verified, Spotify needs to accept the terms of the entitlement and integrate the entitlement profile into their app before the submission can be approved. Although Apple has not outright rejected Spotify's version 8.9.33, it remains pending until these conditions are met.
This ongoing struggle highlights the complexities and tensions between app developers and Apple's stringent App Store guidelines, especially in light of the new EU regulations intended to foster greater competition and choice for consumers.
Spotify has expressed frustration in the past with Apple's app review process, citing delays and lack of communication. This latest episode underscores the ongoing challenges and negotiations that large tech companies face in adapting to new legislative environments while attempting to maintain their service offerings across global markets.