Apple recently announced significant updates to iOS, the App Store, and browser functionality in response to the European Union’s Digital Markets Act. These changes, set to roll out with iOS 17.4 in March, are aimed at complying with the regulatory requirements imposed by the EU. While these updates address the concerns raised by the EU, they have sparked criticism from some prominent developers and companies.
One notable change involves the browsing experience on iOS devices. Previously, alternative browsers like Firefox and Chrome were required to use Apple’s WebKit rendering engine. However, with the upcoming update, Apple will allow these third-party browsers to use their preferred browser engines, freeing them from the previous constraint. This change is seen as a positive step towards promoting competition and giving users more choice in their browsing experience.
However, Mozilla, the developer behind Firefox, expressed disappointment with Apple’s approach, particularly the restriction of the new BrowserEngineKit to EU-specific apps. This limitation would force independent browsers like Firefox to maintain two separate implementations for iPhone and iPad, creating an undue burden for developers. Mozilla believes that this restriction goes against the spirit of promoting competition and innovation.
In a separate development, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek criticized the changes implemented by Apple under the Digital Markets Act. In a blog post, Ek referred to Apple’s new plan as a “complete and total farce,” accusing the tech giant of ignoring the rules and making it difficult for app developers to adopt the new terms. One contentious issue raised by Ek is the Core Technology Fee, a 0.50 euro charge per install per year (after 1 million installs). Ek labeled this fee as “extortion,” and combined with the reduced App Store commission, he claimed that developers of popular apps might end up paying the same or even more to Apple than under the previous rules.
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney echoed similar sentiments, calling Apple’s changes a “devious new instance of malicious compliance” aimed at undermining the Digital Markets Act. Despite planning to return Fortnite to iOS through an Epic Games app marketplace, Sweeney emphasized their ongoing legal efforts against Apple.
In response to the criticism, Apple defended its position, stating that the new business terms would result in more than 99% of developers paying the same or less to Apple. The company emphasized its support for the success of all developers and highlighted the additional options provided for distributing iOS apps and processing payments.
The upcoming iOS 17.4 release will introduce further changes to address regulatory requirements. These changes include the allowance of alternative app stores on iOS, a baseline review process for all apps, NFC opening on iPhones for alternative wallet and banking apps, and new options for payment service providers within apps. While these changes aim to promote competition and give developers more flexibility, they have sparked criticism from some prominent developers and companies.
In conclusion, Apple’s recent updates to iOS and the App Store in response to the EU’s Digital Markets Act aim to comply with regulatory requirements and promote competition. While these changes have been welcomed by some, they have also faced criticism from developers and companies who believe that they do not go far enough. It remains to be seen how these updates will impact the app ecosystem and whether they will satisfy the concerns raised by the EU and developers alike.
