Apple announced Thursday, June 26, changes on its app store for developers, with the aim of meeting the requirements of Brussels after being sentenced in April to a fine within the framework of the European law on digital markets (Digital Markets ActDMA).
The apple brand has been inflicted a fine of 500 million euros for applying rules “ anti-steering » On the App Store (provisions prohibiting user orientation to the same products offered on other application stores). In the same decision, the Commission gave an ultimatum to the technological giant: comply within 60 days or expose yourself to a daily penalty.
Today, Apple has announced a series of technical modifications to its policies relating to the App Store for application developers, aimed at allowing them to communicate and promote their applications more freely.
The company has presented two main changes. The first, which has immediately entered into force, allows the developers of applications to communicate their offers and their alternative payment options to users outside the App Store.
The second, which will come into force in January 2026, will replace the current model of “Basic technology fee” – A separate charge imposed on developers – by a structure based on commissions.
Apple nevertheless said that it intended to appeal to the decision of the commission and the fine imposed before the European courts before July 7.
“The European Commission demands that Apple will bring a series of additional changes to the App Store. We do not agree with this decision and intend to appeal ”said a company spokesperson on Thursday.
The Company accused the Commission of constantly changing the rules of the game concerning what constitutes compliance with the DMA of the European Union.
To date, if Apple had not complied with the April decision, it would have been sentenced to a daily fine of around 50 million euros, said the company.
The Commission should now assess the changes and determine whether they are in accordance with its April requirements.
Thomas Regnier, commission spokesperson, said on Thursday that the commission “Take note of Apple’s announcement and will now assess these new commercial conditions with regard to compliance with the DMA ”.
“Within the framework of this evaluation, the Commission considers particularly important to collect the opinion of market operators and third parties interested before deciding on the next steps”he continued.
