Apple accused Spotify of asking for “preferential treatment” after the music app maker said the tech giant was refusing to let it update its iPhone app, raising “serious concerns under both US and EU competition law”.

Apple launched its own music service last year, putting it in direct competition with Spotify.

According to Re/code, Spotify’s general counsel, Horacio Gutierrez, said delaying its update indicated “a troubling pattern of behaviour by Apple to exclude and diminish the competitiveness of Spotify on iOS and as a rival to Apple Music”, adding that “we cannot stand by as Apple uses the App Store approval process as a weapon to harm competitors”.

Spotify also criticised App Store rules on in-app subscription payments and the fact that developers cannot easily advertise lower prices for their services by directing customers to their own website.

In a letter first published by Buzzfeed, Apple denied changing its App Store policy after the launch of Apple Music.

“We find it troubling that you [Spotify] are asking for exemptions to the rules we apply to all developers and are publicly resorting to rumours and half-truths about our service. Our guidelines help competition, not hurt it,” Apple said.

Tidal rumours
Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reported that Apple is in talks to acquire another music streaming service, Tidal.

Spotify has 30 million paid subscribers, the most of any streaming service. Apple Music, which unlike Spotify does not have a free version, has around 15 million.

Spotify confirmed last month its app has surpassed 100 million monthly active users.