|
Under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), from March 7 Apple will be
required to offer alternative app stores on iPhones and allow
developers to opt out of using its in-app payment system, which
charges fees of up to 30%.
The U.S. tech giant, which on Jan. 24 detailed the changesto
bring its App Store in line with the EU rules, said "sideloading"
- installation of applications on a mobile device without using
its dedicated app store - has sparked concerns from both EU and
non-EU government agencies and users.
Allowing the practice is among reforms that some lawmakers hope
will help open up the market for apps.
"These agencies - especially those serving essential functions
such as defense, banking, and emergency services - have reached
out to us about these new changes," Apple said in a guidance
paper.
It said the agencies wanted assurances that they would be able
to prevent government employees from sideloading apps onto
government-purchased iPhones and that several said they planned
to block sideloading on every device they manage.
"One EU government agency informed us that it had neither the
funding nor the personnel to review and approve apps for its
devices, and so planned to continue to rely on Apple and the App
Store because it trusts us to comprehensively vet apps," Apple
said.
The company did not provide details on the number of concerned
agencies and the countries where they are located.
Firms such as Fortnite creator Epic Games and Spotify
Technology, have for years said that Apple's commissions and
restrictions impede their businesses.
(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; editing by Jason Neely and Tomasz
Janowski)
[© 2024 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
|
|
