Apple faces ‘strong action’ if App Store changes fall short, EU’s Breton says
Apple faces strong action if its changes to the App Store do not meet incoming European Union regulations, according to the bloc’s industry chief. The company will soon allow software developers to distribute their apps to Apple devices via alternative stores in compliance with the EU’s Digital Markets Act. However, critics argue that the changes do not go far enough and may violate the DMA. EU industry chief Thierry Breton stated that if the proposed solutions are not satisfactory, strong action will be taken. Under Apple’s new regime, developers will still have to submit apps for review, but users will have more choice in web browsers and contactless payment apps. Developers who opt out of using Apple’s App Store or payment system will still have to pay a “core technology fee” of 50 euro cents per user account per year.