Epic Games and Spotify Say Apple's Latest DMA Changes Are 'Illegal'
Epic Games and Spotify have criticized Apple's updated Digital Markets Act compliance plan, calling its new commission structure excessive. Epic plans to launch its own app store on iOS in the EU.
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Epic Games and Spotify have criticized Apple's recent updates to its Digital Markets Act (DMA) compliance plan in the European Union, labeling the changes as "illegal" and "deliberately confusing." Apple has modified its rules to allow developers to link to external purchase options for in-app content without restrictions. However, the new fee structure, which includes a commission ranging from 10% to 27%, has been deemed complicated and burdensome by both companies. Epic Games' CEO Tim Sweeney described the new 15% commission as a "junk fee" that undermines the viability of distributing apps through both the Apple App Store and competing platforms. Spotify echoed these sentiments, stating that Apple's demands for fees on basic user communications violate the DMA's requirements. Apple defends its fees by arguing they reflect the value of services provided through the App Store. The changes come after the European Commission previously fined Apple for restricting streaming services like Spotify from informing users about cheaper subscription options outside the app. Epic Games plans to launch its own store on iOS in the EU, aiming to charge developers a lower commission than Apple's.
- Epic Games and Spotify criticize Apple's new DMA compliance fees as excessive and confusing.
- Apple allows developers to link to external purchase options but imposes a new commission structure.
- Tim Sweeney calls Apple's 15% fee a "junk fee" that harms app distribution.
- Spotify claims Apple's fees violate the Digital Markets Act's requirements.
- Epic Games plans to launch its own app store on iOS in the EU.
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10 comments[*] "Notarization" for iOS is a misnomer and imposes a laundry list of requirements in addition to "the app isn't malware". The guidelines aren't even a separate document; they're quite literally a subset of the App Store guidelines (notice the "only notarization requirements" checkbox):
https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/
Compare that to the macOS notarization requirements, which are quite succinct and are anything but a subset of the macOS App Store guidelines: https://developer.apple.com/documentation/security/notarizin...
(macOS of course still allows you run apps that aren't notarized after passing through several scary warning screens.)
These extra unnecessary guidelines, along with the fact that you still need a paid Apple Developer account at $100/year to submit your apps for notarization (even if you just want to use them on your own device and distribute them nowhere), shut out FOSS entirely and render the DMA nearly useless from my point of view.
It kind of sees to me that Apple is doing as much as possible to teeter the line , to see how much they can get away with. It is definitely a burden on the European Union just to make this one company comply; though it has always been this way with Apple. Anyone remembers how USB-C would "hinder innovation" on the iPhones?
I hope the European Union sees through this malicious compliance and gets Apple in line. But honestly, it just shows how monstrously big companies like Apple are. I do think these problems pile up and eventually they're going to be fined a big sum of money for the repeated offenses. We'll see though, maybe they get away with it.
They've already invited enough scrutiny and regulation into their niche.
I know, unrealistic, but a fun thought experiment.
Walk away from $21B profit on $86B revenue.
https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/08/apple-reports-third-q...
It's feels the exact same with the GDPR cookie banner nonsense where actually banning tracking is legally untenable so they tried the shame banner. Except that companies can't feel shame and this affected their revenue so they just added the banner and moved on, and users added the banners to their ad block and moved on.
Related
European Union regulators accuse Apple of breaching the bloc's tech rules
EU accuses Apple of Digital Markets Act violations for restricting App Store alternatives and charging high developer fees. New probe initiated on contractual terms. Apple defends changes, faces potential fines up to 10%.
EU Accuses Apple App Store Steering Rules of Violating DMA, Opens Investigation
The European Commission accuses Apple of Digital Markets Act violations related to App Store policies, anti-steering rules, and excessive fees. Apple claims compliance with the law. Investigation ongoing, potential fines pending.
Apple is first company charged with violating EU's DMA rules
Apple is the first company charged under the EU's Digital Markets Act for App Store policies hindering competition. Investigations focus on fees, alternative app stores, and compliance changes. EU aims to prevent anti-competitive practices.
Apple first rejected, then quickly approved, Epic's app store in Europe
Epic Games challenges Apple's rejection of its European game store launch, involving the European Commission. The dispute, part of a broader regulatory feud, centers on Apple's 30% in-app purchase cut. EU regulators investigate Apple, Google, and Meta for DMA non-compliance.
Apple Revises DMA Compliance
Apple updated its compliance plan for the EU's Digital Markets Act, allowing developers to include external links in apps and introducing a dual fee structure to lower costs while addressing regulatory scrutiny.