Friday, January 26th 2024
Apple announces changes to iOS, Safari, and the App Store in the European Union
Apple today announced changes to iOS, Safari, and the App Store impacting developers' apps in the European Union (EU) to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The changes include more than 600 new APIs, expanded app analytics, functionality for alternative browser engines, and options for processing app payments and distributing iOS apps. Across every change, Apple is introducing new safeguards that reduce—but don't eliminate—new risks the DMA poses to EU users. With these steps, Apple will continue to deliver the best, most secure experience possible for EU users.
The new options for processing payments and downloading apps on iOS open new avenues for malware, fraud and scams, illicit and harmful content, and other privacy and security threats. That's why Apple is introducing protections—including Notarization for iOS apps, an authorization for marketplace developers, and disclosures on alternative payments—to reduce risks and deliver the best, most secure experience possible for users in the EU. Even with these safeguards in place, many risks remain.
Developers can learn about these changes on the Apple Developer Support page and can begin testing new capabilities today in the iOS 17.4 beta. The new capabilities will become available to users in the 27 EU countries beginning in March 2024.
"The changes we're announcing today comply with the Digital Markets Act's requirements in the European Union, while helping to protect EU users from the unavoidable increased privacy and security threats this regulation brings. Our priority remains creating the best, most secure possible experience for our users in the EU and around the world," said Phil Schiller, Apple Fellow. "Developers can now learn about the new tools and terms available for alternative app distribution and alternative payment processing, new capabilities for alternative browser engines and contactless payments, and more. Importantly, developers can choose to remain on the same business terms in place today if they prefer."
The changes for EU apps reflect the European Commission's designation of iOS, Safari, and the App Store as "core platform services" under the Digital Markets Act. In March, Apple will share new resources to help EU users understand the changes they can expect. That includes guidance to help EU users navigate complexities the DMA's changes bring—including a less intuitive user experience—and best practices for approaching new risks associated with downloading apps and processing payments outside of the App Store.
Available for developers' apps around the world, Apple also announced new options for streaming games, along with more than 50 forthcoming reports in areas like engagement, commerce, app usage, and more.
Changes to iOS
In the EU, Apple is making a number of changes to iOS to comply with the DMA. For developers, those changes include new options for distributing apps. The coming changes to iOS in the EU include:
Inevitably, the new options for developers' EU apps create new risks to Apple users and their devices. Apple can't eliminate those risks, but within the DMA's constraints, the company will take steps to reduce them. These safeguards will be in place when users download iOS 17.4 or later, beginning in March, and include:
However, Apple has less ability to address other risks—including apps that contain scams, fraud, and abuse, or that expose users to illicit, objectionable, or harmful content. In addition, apps that use alternative browser engines—other than Apple's WebKit—may negatively affect the user experience, including impacts to system performance and battery life.
Within the DMA's constraints, Apple is committed to protecting the privacy, security, and quality of the iOS user experience in the EU as much as possible. For instance, App Tracking Transparency will continue to work with apps distributed outside of the App Store — asking a user's permission before a developer tracks their data across apps or websites. However, the DMA's requirements mean that App Store features — including Family Purchase Sharing and Ask to Buy — will not be compatible with apps downloaded from outside of the App Store.
When these changes come into effect in March, Apple will share more detailed resources explaining the options available to users — including best practices for protecting their privacy and security.
Changes to Safari
Today, iOS users already have the ability to set a third-party web browser—other than Safari—as their default. Reflecting the DMA's requirements, Apple is also introducing a new choice screen that will surface when users first open Safari in iOS 17.4 or later. That screen will prompt EU users to choose a default browser from a list of options.
This change is a result of the DMA's requirements, and means that EU users will be confronted with a list of default browsers before they have the opportunity to understand the options available to them. The screen also interrupts EU users' experience the first time they open Safari intending to navigate to a webpage.
Changes to the App Store
On the App Store, Apple is sharing a number of changes for developers with apps in the EU, affecting apps across Apple's operating systems—including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS. The changes also include new disclosures informing EU users of the risks associated with using alternatives to the App Store's secure payment processing.
For developers, those changes include:
New Business Terms for Apps in the EU
Also today, Apple is sharing new business terms available for developers' apps in the European Union. Developers can choose to adopt these new business terms, or stay on Apple's existing terms. Developers must adopt the new business terms for EU apps to use the new capabilities for alternative distribution or alternative payment processing.
The new business terms for apps in the EU are necessary to support the DMA's requirements for alternative distribution and payment processing. That includes a fee structure that reflects the many ways Apple creates value for developers' businesses—including distribution and discovery on the App Store, the App Store's secure payment processing, Apple's trusted and secure mobile platform, and all the tools and technology to build and share innovative apps with users around the world.
Developers operating under either set of business terms can continue to use the App Store's secure payment processing and share their apps on the App Store in the EU. And both sets of business terms reflect Apple's long-standing work to make the app ecosystem the best opportunity for all developers.
Developers operating under the new business terms will have the option to distribute their iOS apps from the App Store and/or alternative app marketplaces. These developers can also choose to use alternative payment processors in their EU apps on the App Store, across Apple's operating systems.
The new business terms for iOS apps in the EU have three elements:
Apple is also sharing a fee calculator tool and new reports to help developers estimate the potential impact of the new business terms on their app businesses. Developers can learn more about the changes for EU apps on a new Apple Developer Support page and can begin testing these capabilities today in the iOS 17.4 beta.
Source:
Apple
The new options for processing payments and downloading apps on iOS open new avenues for malware, fraud and scams, illicit and harmful content, and other privacy and security threats. That's why Apple is introducing protections—including Notarization for iOS apps, an authorization for marketplace developers, and disclosures on alternative payments—to reduce risks and deliver the best, most secure experience possible for users in the EU. Even with these safeguards in place, many risks remain.
"The changes we're announcing today comply with the Digital Markets Act's requirements in the European Union, while helping to protect EU users from the unavoidable increased privacy and security threats this regulation brings. Our priority remains creating the best, most secure possible experience for our users in the EU and around the world," said Phil Schiller, Apple Fellow. "Developers can now learn about the new tools and terms available for alternative app distribution and alternative payment processing, new capabilities for alternative browser engines and contactless payments, and more. Importantly, developers can choose to remain on the same business terms in place today if they prefer."
The changes for EU apps reflect the European Commission's designation of iOS, Safari, and the App Store as "core platform services" under the Digital Markets Act. In March, Apple will share new resources to help EU users understand the changes they can expect. That includes guidance to help EU users navigate complexities the DMA's changes bring—including a less intuitive user experience—and best practices for approaching new risks associated with downloading apps and processing payments outside of the App Store.
Available for developers' apps around the world, Apple also announced new options for streaming games, along with more than 50 forthcoming reports in areas like engagement, commerce, app usage, and more.
Changes to iOS
In the EU, Apple is making a number of changes to iOS to comply with the DMA. For developers, those changes include new options for distributing apps. The coming changes to iOS in the EU include:
- New options for distributing iOS apps from alternative app marketplaces — including new APIs and tools that enable developers to offer their iOS apps for download from alternative app marketplaces.
- New framework and APIs for creating alternative app marketplaces — enabling marketplace developers to install apps and manage updates on behalf of other developers from their dedicated marketplace app.
- New frameworks and APIs for alternative browser engines — enabling developers to use browser engines, other than WebKit, for browser apps and apps with in-app browsing experiences.
- Interoperability request form — where developers can submit additional requests for interoperability with iPhone and iOS hardware and software features.
Inevitably, the new options for developers' EU apps create new risks to Apple users and their devices. Apple can't eliminate those risks, but within the DMA's constraints, the company will take steps to reduce them. These safeguards will be in place when users download iOS 17.4 or later, beginning in March, and include:
- Notarization for iOS apps — a baseline review that applies to all apps, regardless of their distribution channel, focused on platform integrity and protecting users. Notarization involves a combination of automated checks and human review.
- App installation sheets — that use information from the Notarization process to provide at-a-glance descriptions of apps and their functionality before download, including the developer, screenshots, and other essential information.
- Authorization for marketplace developers — to ensure marketplace developers commit to ongoing requirements that help protect users and developers.
- Additional malware protections — that prevent iOS apps from launching if they're found to contain malware after being installed to a user's device.
However, Apple has less ability to address other risks—including apps that contain scams, fraud, and abuse, or that expose users to illicit, objectionable, or harmful content. In addition, apps that use alternative browser engines—other than Apple's WebKit—may negatively affect the user experience, including impacts to system performance and battery life.
Within the DMA's constraints, Apple is committed to protecting the privacy, security, and quality of the iOS user experience in the EU as much as possible. For instance, App Tracking Transparency will continue to work with apps distributed outside of the App Store — asking a user's permission before a developer tracks their data across apps or websites. However, the DMA's requirements mean that App Store features — including Family Purchase Sharing and Ask to Buy — will not be compatible with apps downloaded from outside of the App Store.
When these changes come into effect in March, Apple will share more detailed resources explaining the options available to users — including best practices for protecting their privacy and security.
Changes to Safari
Today, iOS users already have the ability to set a third-party web browser—other than Safari—as their default. Reflecting the DMA's requirements, Apple is also introducing a new choice screen that will surface when users first open Safari in iOS 17.4 or later. That screen will prompt EU users to choose a default browser from a list of options.
This change is a result of the DMA's requirements, and means that EU users will be confronted with a list of default browsers before they have the opportunity to understand the options available to them. The screen also interrupts EU users' experience the first time they open Safari intending to navigate to a webpage.
Changes to the App Store
On the App Store, Apple is sharing a number of changes for developers with apps in the EU, affecting apps across Apple's operating systems—including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS. The changes also include new disclosures informing EU users of the risks associated with using alternatives to the App Store's secure payment processing.
For developers, those changes include:
- New options for using payment service providers (PSPs) — within a developer's app to process payments for digital goods and services.
- New options for processing payments via link-out — where users can complete a transaction for digital goods and services on the developer's external website. Developers can also inform EU users of promotions, discounts, and other deals available outside of their apps.
- Business planning tools — for developers to estimate fees and understand metrics associated with Apple's new business terms for apps in the EU.
- App Store product page labels — that inform users when an app they're downloading uses alternative payment processing.
- In-app disclosure sheets — that let users know when they are no longer transacting with Apple, and when a developer is directing them to transact using an alternative payment processor.
- New App Review processes — to verify that developers accurately communicate information about transactions that use alternative payment processors.
- Expanded data portability on Apple's Data & Privacy site — where EU users can retrieve new data about their usage of the App Store and export it to an authorized third party.
New Business Terms for Apps in the EU
Also today, Apple is sharing new business terms available for developers' apps in the European Union. Developers can choose to adopt these new business terms, or stay on Apple's existing terms. Developers must adopt the new business terms for EU apps to use the new capabilities for alternative distribution or alternative payment processing.
The new business terms for apps in the EU are necessary to support the DMA's requirements for alternative distribution and payment processing. That includes a fee structure that reflects the many ways Apple creates value for developers' businesses—including distribution and discovery on the App Store, the App Store's secure payment processing, Apple's trusted and secure mobile platform, and all the tools and technology to build and share innovative apps with users around the world.
Developers operating under either set of business terms can continue to use the App Store's secure payment processing and share their apps on the App Store in the EU. And both sets of business terms reflect Apple's long-standing work to make the app ecosystem the best opportunity for all developers.
Developers operating under the new business terms will have the option to distribute their iOS apps from the App Store and/or alternative app marketplaces. These developers can also choose to use alternative payment processors in their EU apps on the App Store, across Apple's operating systems.
The new business terms for iOS apps in the EU have three elements:
- Reduced commission — iOS apps on the App Store will pay a reduced commission of either 10 percent (for the vast majority of developers, and subscriptions following their first year) or 17 percent on transactions for digital goods and services.
- Payment processing fee — iOS apps on the App Store can use the App Store's payment processing for an additional 3 percent fee. Developers can use a payment service provider within their app or link users to their website to process payments for no additional fee to Apple.
- Core Technology Fee — iOS apps distributed from the App Store and/or an alternative app marketplace will pay €0.50 for each first annual install per year over a 1 million threshold.
Apple is also sharing a fee calculator tool and new reports to help developers estimate the potential impact of the new business terms on their app businesses. Developers can learn more about the changes for EU apps on a new Apple Developer Support page and can begin testing these capabilities today in the iOS 17.4 beta.
96 Comments on Apple announces changes to iOS, Safari, and the App Store in the European Union
When I wanted to dabble with development for mobiles, I could do it for free on my PC. I didn't need a Pine phone, the little app that I needed has been running on all my Android phones since I wrote it. If I wanted to develop for iOS, all I needed was a small $100 annual fee. And a $1,000+ MacBook. Thus, my crib is iDevice-free.
Hate the EU as you will, they haven't even begun to scratch the surface on the stranglehold Apple holds on their ecosystem.
P.S. Forgive me, I use a (simple) iPad.
How much this is absolutely NOT ok should be completely obvious to anyone.So many things, i.e. the complete lack of freedom to do simple things like use you any contacless system - like transit or banking - outside apple's control, broken apps that can't explain you how to sign up because they'd be unprofitable if they had to paid 30% and they can't include something as simple as a "go to the website" notice, etc. etc. etc.Way to completely miss the point, this is not about that AT ALL.Just because the loudest noise is made by developers, doesn't mean consumers are not being hurt by Apple's control of the platform. The costs caused by the lack of competition on the platform and because of pure extortion from Apple are passed directly to consumers.
And if Apple was the only one developing applications for iOS with the same size as they have now this would still very much be a problem, you can't take over a huge slice of the market and gatekeep everyone else, that's what competition and market regulations are made to avoid.You clearly have zero grasp of the situation and are not worthy of a reply. Educate yourself on the issue before acusing people you don't know of whining or not creating anything.
The point is you have control, less concern of a SolarWinds situation or government backdoor etc in ios.
Spyware
Viruses
Malware
Un-installable Apps
Apps that cause OS instability
Apps that open the device to 3rd parties
Apps that send private data to undisclosed 3rd parties, even after they have been removed
Hey, it's my device, and I should be able to do what I like with it, unlike crappy Apple...
I really hope that these "features" are disabled by default. It won't help stupid, but it will help many of us that don't run our business website from our phones, hack the planet from our mobile, and don't download Torrents all day long on it either, change the 10-year-old TV's channel, or any other amazing things Android users say iPhones can't do that Android can and that they would die without.
I love it when crusty, clueless and corrupt politicians think they know best and force it on everyone. Thanks EU!
The OS won't change (much), the hardware is the same, dev tools are still 100% Apple controlled (which is a problem).
The vanilla iOS experience will not change an iota. Cult of Jobs can continue business as usual. But I suppose cults tend to follow the company line, even clearly bs ones.
The experience isn't changing for anyone that doesn't want it. And for those that do, it's only in the EU and it's so crippled it won't really be used. ;)
The government is only forcefully changing how Apple does business - and clearly unsuccessfully as this latest example of malicious compliance shows - because they're not complying with existent competition laws and market regulations. The only baffling thing is how it's taking so long to break down this walled garden
Decent video, tbh:
Apple is the company telling you, me, us, that their hardware and software are closely integrated. So its not just a private store on some random device. Its a business plan that is aimed at controlling a full value chain. Look up that three word beauty and youll see this is corporate wet dreams before even beginning to care about you or anyone else.
People could benefit from this, in theory lower costs could be passed on to customers as lower prices, but in practice that rarely happens, so people aren't really a factor except for the small percentage that just want to stick it to Apple.
Also, your comparison to closed source vs open source makes no sense. Windows is open as far as application distribution is concerned. Heck, even MacOS is open. The only relevant ecosystem that isn't open is iOS/iPadOS.
www.macrumors.com/2024/01/26/apple-eu-app-ecosystem-tidbits/