Stockholm. Apple on Thursday changed its policy in the European Union (EU) to allow developers to communicate with customers outside of apps, after the European Commission (EC) accused the iPhone maker in June of breaking the bloc’s technology rules.
The Commission had said that under most commercial conditions, Apple only allows directing via “link-outs,” meaning that app developers can include a link in their app that redirects the customer to a web page where the customer can conclude a contract.
According to Apple, developers will now be able to communicate and promote available offers from within their app, not just on their own website.
However, Apple will introduce two new fees: a 5 percent initial acquisition fee for new users and a 10 percent store services fee for any sales made by app users on any platform in the 12 months following the app’s installation.
Apple currently charges three types of fees: a basic technology fee on less than 1 percent of apps, a reduced fee for all digital goods and services sold through the App Store, and an optional fee for payment and commerce services.
The two new rates will replace the reduced fee for all digital goods and services sold through the App Store.
The Commission had previously criticised the fees charged by Apple for facilitating developers’ initial acquisition of a new customer through the App Store, saying they went beyond what was strictly necessary for such remuneration.
The charge against Apple is the first by the Commission under its landmark Digital Markets Act, which aims to curb the power of big tech companies and breaches of which could result in a fine of up to 10 percent of a company’s global annual turnover.
Apple said it had maintained ongoing dialogue with the EC and that the changes introduced were in line with what was announced in June.
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– 2024-08-16 21:31:11
