Robert Triggs/Android Authority
In brief
- Apple has relaxed its restrictions for app developers in the EU and will now allow links to sites other than the app’s own website.
- This change follows an EU ruling accusing Apple of violating technology regulations.
- However, Apple is introducing new fees: a 5% acquisition fee for new customers and a 10% store service fee for purchases within 12 months. This move has sparked criticism in the industry.
While Apple fans eagerly await news on the potential launch of the iPhone 16 and other new devices from the tech giant, the company appears to have run into trouble in the EU. In a significant move, Apple recently relaxed its restrictions on how app developers in the European Union can interact with users. This follows an EU ruling in June that accused the Cupertino-based tech giant of violating technology regulations set by the bloc.
Accordingly ReutersApple had previously imposed strict rules on app developers, only allowing them to insert external links if they redirected users to the developer’s own website. This essentially limited developers’ ability to redirect users to promotional pages where they could select upgrades or additional purchases.
In the future, however, app developers will be able to include multiple links and promote offers through the app that are not specifically found on their own website. However, this flexibility comes with a caveat: Apple will introduce a 5% acquisition fee charged when the app refers a new user and a 10% store service fee for purchases users make on the platform within 12 months of installing the app.
Currently, Apple charges app developers a core technology fee, a reduced commission fee, and an optional merchant services fee. The reporting source points out that the two new fees will be charged in place of the reduced commission fee. This move by Apple has sparked criticism from industry players, including companies like Spotify and Epic Games.
TechCrunch Spotify reached out for comment and the music streaming company noted that Apple’s new proposal was confusing. The statement read:
By charging a fee of up to 25% for basic communications with its users, Apple is once again blatantly ignoring the basic requirements of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The European Commission has made it clear that charging recurring fees for basic elements such as pricing and linking is unacceptable. We call on the Commission to speed up its investigation, impose daily fines and enforce the DMA.
Epic Games also called Apple’s policy changes unlawful. Only time will tell if the EU will allow Apple to implement the proposed fee and policy changes. However, a Commission official said: “We will evaluate Apple’s possible changes to compliance measures, also taking into account any feedback from the market, in particular from developers.” With this in mind, it seems that the Commission wants further changes to ensure full compliance with the Digital Markets Act.
