Picture: Cult of Mac
Spotify and Epic Video games have criticized Apple for its newest App Retailer charge and exterior linking adjustments within the EU. They declare Apple has once more disregarded the “fundamental requirements” of the Digital Markets Act.
On August 8, 2024, Apple introduced new EU App Retailer insurance policies to adjust to the Digital Markets Act. This follows the European Fee’s June ruling that Apple violated the act’s steering guidelines.
Epic Video games CEO criticizes Apple for imposing a 15% ‘junk fee’ on customers
As part of the adjustments, Apple is making it simpler for builders to hyperlink to exterior web sites or various app shops for buy choices and provides. Customers can entry these hyperlinks by means of an in-app browser or outdoors the app. Builders are additionally free so as to add as many exterior hyperlinks inside their apps as required. These hyperlinks can embody redirects and different parameters however can not profile customers. The brand new adjustments come into impact in fall 2024.
Regardless of the lowered charges and different adjustments, Epic Video games CEO Tim Sweeney referred to as out Apple on X for “malicious compliance.” He says the corporate is imposing a “15% junk fee” on customers who wish to migrate to a third-party app retailer.
Within the European Union the place the brand new DMA legislation opens up app retailer competitors, Apple continues its malicious compliance by imposing an unlawful new 15% junk charge on customers migrating to competing shops and monitor commerce on these competing shops.https://t.co/YUYwsnrh32 pic.twitter.com/xAWGkOWPrH
— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) August 8, 2024
Spotify says Apple’s EU App Retailer adjustments don’t adjust to the DMA
Spotify has additionally issued an announcement and referred to as out Apple’s complicated new App Retailer adjustments within the EU. Beneath is Spotify’s assertion in full to TechCrunch:
“We are currently assessing Apple’s deliberately confusing proposal. At first glance, by demanding as much as a 25% fee for basic communication with users, Apple once again blatantly disregards the fundamental requirements of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The European Commission has made it clear that imposing recurring fees on basic elements like pricing and linking is unacceptable. We call on the Commission to expedite its investigation, implement daily fines and enforce the DMA.”
Spotify and Epic Video games CEO Tim Sweeney have been among the many most vocal critics of Apple’s App Retailer. The 2 events have repeatedly referred to as out Apple for its monopolistic insurance policies and are engaged in a number of authorized battles in opposition to it. Solely time will inform if the European Fee will settle for Apple’s new adjustments.