Apple, in response to new E.U. regulations, is loosening its hold on the App Store to comply with a competition law taking effect on March 7. This will allow users in the 27-nation bloc to use alternative app stores and payment methods on their iPhones and iPads. The shift stems from a 2022 law passed by the E.U. called the Digital Markets Act, aiming to reduce the power of major tech companies. Apple stated that the changes are in compliance with the Digital Markets Act’s requirements in the European Union. However, maintaining oversight of new marketplaces and apps working outside its App Store is a priority for Apple to prevent bad actors from distributing malware and defrauding customers. Furthermore, the changes could impact Apple’s finances, as the App Store’s policy takes up to 30% of developers’ sales, with significant fees unjustly criticized by many developers. Despite the changes, Apple has challenged some elements of the new law, including one that would open its messaging service, iMessage, to work more smoothly with Android devices. The company argues that iMessage isn’t subject to these requirements because it is free to customers, and the EU has not made a final decision on the matter.
