Apple will allow EU developers to directly distribute apps
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The news: Yielding to pressure from European regulators, Apple will allow iPhone apps to be directly downloaded from developers’ websites to meet new rules forcing the tech giant to open up its ecosystem.
The numbers: Developers will be required to pay a core technology fee of €0.50 per install over one million downloads per year, as well as for each install over one million downloaded over the past 12 months.
The context: The European Union’s Digital Markets Act, which came into force last week, requires Apple to offer app store competitors on their iPhones, and allow developers to opt out of Apple’s in-app payment system which charges up to 30% in fees.
Apple explained that it will provide access to APIs that facilitate the distribution of developers’ apps from the web, integrate with system functionality, back-up and restore users’ apps.
Apple has resisted calls to ‘sideload’ apps which offer the same functionality as those offered on the App Store, arguing they pose security risks to Apple devices. As part of the announcement on Tuesday, the tech giant warned that developers who offer apps through their own websites will need to be authorised by Apple.
Last week the EU slapped Apple with a €1.8 billion ($3 billion) antitrust fine, arguing that the tech giant abused its market dominance for the distribution of streaming apps. The penalty was the third-largest antitrust fine issued by the European Commission to date.
The sources: Apple Press Release , Reuters
