Earlier this year, Apple announced significant changes to iOS in the EU to comply with the new Digital Markets Act (DMA). The changes allowed third-party app stores, gave developers the ability to link to external payment systems, and more. However, the European Commission was not happy with the changes announced by Apple. In June, the Commission informed Apple that its app store rules violated the Digital Markets Act (DMA) because they did not allow developers to direct consumers to alternative channels for offers and content.
In response to the European Commission’s announcement in June, Apple today made several changes to its Digital Markets Act compliance plan. Developers can now promote offers available outside of the App Store. For example, a developer can place a banner on the subscription page that leads to an external website for purchases. Previously, Apple had stated that links to external websites should not contain parameters. Apple is now changing this by allowing links with parameters, redirects, and intermediate links to landing pages.
Important changes to StoreKit permissions for external purchase links:
- Developers can communicate and promote purchase offers available at a destination of their choosing. The destination can be an alternative app marketplace, another app, or a website, and can be accessed outside of the app or via a web view displayed in the app.
- Developers may design and implement communications and promotions of offers within their apps. This includes providing information about pricing of subscriptions or other offers available both inside and outside the app, as well as providing explanations or instructions on how to subscribe to offers outside the application. These communications must contain accurate information about the digital goods or services available for purchase.
- Developers may choose to use an actionable link that can be tapped, clicked, or scanned to direct users to their destination.
- Developers can use any number of URLs without declaring them in the app’s Info.plist.
- Links with parameters, redirects and intermediate links to target pages are permitted.
- To reflect changes to these features, updated terms and conditions will be introduced for apps with permission for external purchase links.
The updated terms will apply to all developers in the European Union who use the StoreKit External Purchase Link Entitlement starting this fall.
Apple’s increasing compliance with the DMA shows the ongoing negotiations between tech giants and regulators. Whether these changes can have a real impact on developers in the EU market remains to be seen. Only time will tell whether Apple’s recent concessions will really encourage competition and provide consumers with more choice.
