Although it absolutely is counters sideloading and other practices that could compromise the safety of users and the stability of its devices, Apple must comply with the most recent regulations approved byEuropean Union. It is not yet clear how the Cupertino giant intends to move, but according to Mark Gurman of Bloombergwould be preparing to carry out some sort of new version of its App Store designed specifically for the European market.
Apple “splits” its App Store to comply with the DMA
In the last appointment of your newsletter “Power On”the signature of Bloomberg explains that the Californian company is doing what is necessary to ensure that its App Store complies with the upcoming Digital Markets Act approved by the European Union (maximum limit is 7 March 2024).
However, unlike what some have hypothesized, these changes will not be applied globally and this, in practice, will lead to the coexistence of two App Stores: one for the European market, the other for the rest of the world.
The goal of the Digital Markets Act is to establish some sort of competitive equilibrium among companies operating in the digital sector, for too long – the EU believes – subject to the control of a few giants. As regards the mobile device applications market, there is obviously also Apple with its App Store, the only digital store for downloading apps (free or paid) on iPhone e iPad.
Apple has certainly obtained the advantages of its “closed system” (also criticized by companies of a certain caliber such as Spotify and Epic Games due to the commissions) but it was able to always guarantee maximum safety. However, despite open dissent, the company was unable to do anything but align itself and adapt to the new EU legislation.
In addition to sideloading (i.e. downloading applications from third-party stores), Apple will also have to allow it the use of external payment systems. This way, companies will no longer be forced to give away a percentage of every single app purchase or in-app purchase.