Apple’s Strategy to Challenge App Store Policies in Europe
Apple already knows the effects of recent laws passed in the European Union (EU), but the company is not interested in seeing new laws change its overall business. Apple is being forced to explain the App Store’s anti-competitive practices, which many developers claim have limited their growth on the platform.
The company has several cases pending in many countries, and the EU is equally eager to strip Apple of its authority over the App Store and its management. Apple is reportedly changing its stance and strategy on App Stores, calling it a different version for each platform.
Apple claims that the iPhone, iPad, Mac and even the Apple Watch have different app stores, which means that no single App Store has an absolute majority in the market. Regulators have argued that no matter what Apple device a consumer uses, their only option to download apps is the App Store, which is against the ethos of the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which the EU has wanted to bring under the App Store. this decision.
Apple is forced to allow other app stores to operate on the iOS operating system, something it has vehemently opposed for years, citing security concerns related to sideloading apps. The company may have run out of excuses now, as multiple reports suggest that iOS 18 will bring app sideloading to iPhone users in the coming months.
The EU also feels that the App Store’s full authority has stifled competition, requiring them to pay up to 30 percent commissions on their apps or enter into a different deal with Apple to get other benefits.
Apple tries to twist this logic by emphasizing that the number of app stores is not one but five, which may sound smart, but is unlikely to hold up in front of regulators when the whole thing is considered the company’s overall position and use. its availability or popularity to improve the market.