Apple announced modifications to its App Store policies in the European Union designed to address ongoing disagreements with the European Commission regarding business terms and alternative distribution methods. The changes will consolidate all developers onto a single set of business terms and introduce a 5 percent Core Technology Commission on digital transactions for apps distributed outside the App Store.
Under the new framework taking effect October 1st, App Store applications using Apple’s in-app purchase system will be subject to a 26 percent commission, while developers utilizing alternative payment providers will face a 20 percent fee. Additionally, developers must pay a 15 percent commission on purchases that redirect users outside the application. The company indicated it would offer reduced rates for participants in specific programs, including the App Store Small Business Program, Mini Apps Partner Program, and Video Partner Program.
The revisions permit developers to offer both in-app purchases and alternative payment systems within the EU, though developers selecting specific payment options must maintain those choices for a minimum of 12 months to ensure user consistency. Apple eliminated several previous fees, including initial acquisition charges, store services fees, and the €0.50 per download Core Technology Fee that had applied to apps exceeding 1 million annual installations. Web distribution through third-party app stores will be restricted to the EU, with Apple implementing eligibility criteria for marketplace operators, such as requirements to be publicly traded or possess financial audits from licensed accountants.
The policy updates additionally incorporate new child safety protections for EU users. Applications targeting children cannot include links directing to external websites for transaction completion, and the App Store will restrict links to purchase websites for users under 13 years old. Users under 18 will require parental or guardian authorization to complete purchases using alternative payment methods within App Store applications.
These modifications follow Apple’s prior adjustments made last year to comply with the Digital Markets Act, which regulates major technology companies. The company has faced regulatory scrutiny, including a Commission fine for anti-steering practices deemed violative of DMA requirements, and was unsuccessful in its recent effort to exclude the App Store and iOS from the regulation’s scope.
Article Attribution | Read More at Article Source
Article summary produced by Claude AI