By now you’ve probably heard of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). These new EU regulations came into effect last week, forcing large tech companies known as “gatekeepers” to open their core platforms to third parties in order to stay competitive in the tech sector.
Many companies, including Meta and Microsoft, are affected by these new laws. But perhaps no company has been forced to make such significant changes than Apple. The iPhone maker must make broad changes to long-standing policies on many of its core products, such as the App Store. Apple’s DMA-inspired changes have also been widely criticized by peers in the technology industry.
apple”malicious compliance“Having been in the spotlight over the past few weeks – this could seriously dilute the positive impact of DMA on EU iOS users.
So, let’s take a look at the top five changes Apple was forced to make to iOS due to DMA. Some of these are sure to make those in the U.S. and elsewhere around the world jealous that their countries haven’t passed a similar set of antitrust laws.
Third-party app stores
Apple no longer has a de facto monopoly on how apps are distributed on iOS, which is undoubtedly the biggest change in the company’s mobile ecosystem. Thanks to DMA, Apple is forced to allow “alternative market“Distribute apps on iPhone and iPad.
This means that for the first time, developers can create apps that don’t comply with Apple’s App Store content and development policies. Therefore, users can expect different types of apps that might have been banned from the App Store before.
In addition to “alternative markets,” developers can also choose to create their own standalone app store experience to distribute only their own apps.
Developers also no longer need to participate in the App Store’s transactional revenue sharing model, such as in-app purchases, which requires a certain percentage of sales to be given to Apple. This means developers can pass the cost savings on to consumers.
Fortnite is coming back
Speaking of no longer having to share revenue with Apple, fortnitea popular online battle royale game, return to iOS, thanks to DMA.
Game developer Epic Games announced that it will bring fortnite The iPhone resurfaced earlier this year after Apple announced an “alternative market” option.
Back in 2020, Apple removed Fortnite from the App Store due to Epic Games’ attempt to circumvent the iPhone manufacturer’s revenue sharing rules. Since this violated App Store policies, Apple removed Fortnite from its official market and banned it across iOS.
However, with the DMA in place in the EU, Epic Games can leverage alternative distribution methods to bring Fortnite back to iPhone for users in the region. (Apple recently tried clogged Epic Games is withdrawing from its developer program, which will block the company’s plans to create an alternative market and potentially prevent Fortnite from returning to iOS.However, DMA also forces Apple Cancel That decision. )
Download directly from the developer
If Epic Games wants iOS users to download Fortnite directly from its website, that can now be done.
The latest addition to Apple’s overhaul of iOS policies in the European Union adds new distribution options for developers.
If the app creator wants users to download their app directly From their website, they can. There’s no need for an app store or third-party “alternative marketplace” at all—just direct distribution, no middlemen.
(We should note, however, that developers who want to distribute via this method must obtain approval from Apple after meeting certain requirements.)
Change default apps
tired Safari When you click a link on your iPhone, it opens instead of Google Chrome?bored apple map Always give you instructions by default?
Well, if you’re in the EU, you won’t have to deal with default Apple apps on iOS for long anymore. Apple says that thanks to DMA, it will introduce new settings options that will let users choose which apps they want to use as their default for the web browser or Maps app. This is quite a change. Previously, users were forced to use Apple’s own apps unless they chose to manually open third-party apps.
Additionally, Apple would need to let EU users completely delete the Safari app, which is currently not allowed on iOS.
Interoperability and data portability
Interoperability and data portability are technically two different changes, but they both mean the same thing to users: more ownership over their data and how it’s used.
as part of DMA Compliance ReportApple said it will start accepting interoperability requests from developers, which will potentially allow more third-party apps to access iOS features. This gives developers access to APIs that were previously unavailable to them, allowing these third parties to create new applications utilizing these capabilities and their associated data.
A recent example is Apple Financial Toolkit API, providing developers with access to Apple Card, Apple Cash and Savings using Apple user information for the first time. Some developers have already integrated this new feature into their products, which automatically imports users’ purchases and transactions into their financial planning applications.
If these changes aren’t enough to win over EU iPhone users, then they should look forward to Apple’s upcoming new products. data portability Plan, provided by DMA. Apple said it is developing “more user-friendly solutions” for iPhone users who want to switch to Android or other mobile devices. Being able to easily transfer data to where you want it is a huge win for consumers.