As part of its efforts to comply with the Digital Markets Act, Apple will give users in the European Union (EU) more choice in browsers and apps.
These changes apply to iOS and iPadOS users in the EU and will take effect by the end of the year, the company said in an update on Thursday (August 22).
One of the changes will affect the browser selection screen, as Apple will show more information about browsers to users who view the selection screen, according to the update. The updated screen will be shown to all EU users who have set Apple’s Safari browser as their default browser. In addition, browser developers will get access to more data on the selection screen’s performance.
Another change involves the introduction of a new “Default Apps” section in Settings that lists the defaults available to each user, the update says. This section will be included in iOS 18 and iPadOS 18. In future software updates, there will be new defaults for dialing phone numbers, sending messages, translating text, navigation, managing passwords, keyboards, and call spam filters.
In a third change announced on Thursday, users in the EU will be able to delete five Apple apps under the update: the App Store, Messages, Photos, Camera and Safari.
“These updates are the result of our ongoing and continued dialogue with the European Commission on compliance with the requirements of the Digital Markets Act in these areas,” Apple said in the update.
The Digital Markets Act, designed to boost competition in the digital economy, has required major technology companies to work hard to comply with new rules that came into effect in March, PYMNTS reported at the time.
The latest changes announced by Apple come a day after it was revealed that the company is reorganizing its App Store in response to global regulations. As part of this reorganization, the App Store will reportedly be split into two teams, with one overseeing Apple’s own App Store and the other focused on distributing alternative apps.
The Digital Markets Act has also brought about further changes in the areas of mobile commerce, gaming, app developers and commission structures.
