The European Commission has officially announced its initial opinion that Apple’s App Store policies violate the Digital Markets Act (DMA), as it pertains to anti-steering rules.
Under the DMA, developers who distribute their apps through Apple’s App Store will be able to inform their consumers about other, less expensive procurement features at no charge, direct them to those offers, and allow them to make purchases. The Commission says Apple’s “commercial terms” with developers save you from this.
“Developers will not provide in-app pricing data or otherwise talk to their consumers to advertise offers available on selected distribution channels,” the Commission said in its statement.
The Commission also said that Apple’s linking procedure with consumer consultants is “subject to various restrictions imposed through Apple that prevent app developers from communicating, selling offers, and entering into contracts through the distribution channel of their choice. “
In addition, the Commission considers that the payments collected through Apple to facilitate the acquisition of new consumers through the App Store “go beyond what is strictly mandatory for such remuneration”. For example, Apple charges developers a payment for each acquisition of virtual goods. or made through a user within seven days of logging in from the app, which the Commission considers excessive.
The Commission also announced that it would open new default proceedings against Apple, fearing that its new contractual needs for third-party app developers and app marketplaces, in addition to its €0. 50 fee per core generation, “will not be sufficient to ensure effective compliance. “with Apple’s obligations”. under the DMA”.
“Over the past few months, Apple has made a number of adjustments to comply with the DMA in reaction to feedback from developers and the European Commission. We are confident that our plan is in compliance with the law and estimate that more than 99% of developers would pay Apple’s fees the same or decrease based on the new commercial terms we have created. All developers doing business in the EU on the App Store have the option to use the features we’ve introduced, adding the ability to direct app users. To the web. finish our purchases at a very competitive price. As we usually do, we will continue to pay attention and interact with the European Commission. “
Now that the Commission has informed Apple of its initial opinion, Apple can protect itself by examining the documents contained in the Commission’s investigation file and responding in writing to the Commission’s initial findings. If Apple is found to have breached the DMA, the companies can face fines of up to 10% of their global revenue. The Commission’s final resolution is expected to come until March 2025.
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