Background
Apple has always maintained tight control over its App Store and iOS ecosystem.
They resisted making significant changes despite pressure from regulators.
New EU Law
Recently, the European Union (EU) introduced a new law, prompting Apple to make substantial concessions and changes.
Developers’ Freedom
Developers are now allowed to create and distribute apps outside of Apple’s App Store.
Commission Reduction
Apple has reduced its App Store commission to a maximum of 17%.
An additional 3% fee is applied for payments made on its platform.
Fees for Non-Apple Stores
Apps from non-Apple stores are exempt from fees, except for those downloaded over a million times, which will have a fee of 0.50 euros per download.
Default Web Browser
Users can now set a default web browser other than Apple’s Safari.
Near-Field Communication (NFC) Tech
Developers can utilize Apple’s NFC technology for contactless payments without being restricted to Apple Pay.
Concerns Raised by Apple
Apple expresses concerns about potential threats such as malware, fraud, scams, illicit content, and privacy/security issues.
protective Measures
Apple plans to implement measures like “notarizing” all apps to safeguard users from potential risks.
Ongoing Legal Process
The implementation of these changes is not final, as Apple is still appealing part of the new rules.
Choices for Users and Developers
Users and developers will have choices to make regarding app distribution and usage.
Epic Games and Fortnite
Epic Games, known for challenging Apple’s rules, plans to bring Fortnite back to Apple’s phones in Europe in 2024, citing the new regulations.
However, Epic Games continues to argue that Apple is breaking the law.
Scope of Changes
Apple emphasizes That these changes are currently limited to Europe, citing safety concerns.
Implies that similar changes elsewhere would require new laws.
Milestone for Regulation
The announcement is seen as a milestone, indicating that even powerful companies like Apple can change policies under sufficient regulatory pressure.