Apple and the EU - TalkLInked Feb. 19, 2024

RILEYISMYNAME · February 20

NEWS SOURCES:

Apple won’t be forced to open up iMessage by EU

https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/apple-imessage-microsoft-bing-dodge-eu-s-big-tech-crackdown-1.2034181

Apple insists App Store must be locked down to protect users but then this stuff still happens: Stealth piracy app makes it to no. 8 in popularity on Apple’s App Store

https://appleinsider.com/articles/24/02/13/a-movie-piracy-app-snuck-onto-the-app-store-in-2023-and-apple-only-just-killed-it

Apple appears to be breaking iPhone web apps in the EU

https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/14/24072764/apple-progressive-web-apps-eu-ios-17-4

iOS 17.4 Nerfs Web Apps in the EU

https://www.macrumors.com/2024/02/08/ios-17-4-nerfs-web-apps-in-the-eu/

THIS IS WHAT YOU WANTED…RIGHT?

Apple announces official support for third-party app stores, payment systems, and browser engines on iOS... only in the EU

https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/01/apple-announces-changes-to-ios-safari-and-the-app-store-in-the-european-union/

- EDITOR: this is what is being referenced by Source1, below

Alternative app marketplaces + browser engines EDITOR screenshot the first 4 bullet points under “Changes to iOS” section in Source1

BUT IT’S SO DANGEROUS https://twitter.com/TechLinkedYT/status/1750640917286146496/photo/1

So all marketplaces must be authorized and apps must be Notarized EDITOR screenshot the next 4 bullet points starting with “Notarization for iOS apps” in Source1

Some calling this “sideloading” – it’s not https://www.macrumors.com/2024/01/24/sideloading-in-europe-app-review-and-fees/

New business terms: Reduced 10/17% commissions, + 3% if you use Apple Pay https://lmg.gg/IS7vD

Bonus: users won’t see oooh scary warning https://twitter.com/dhh/status/1750682933638373424

NEW Core Technology Fee – devs pay €0.50 per annual install over 1 million, even for free apps https://lmg.gg/HmiYC

similar to Unity’s Runtime fee https://twitter.com/AshleyGullen/status/1750599926369693966

Devs can avoid CTF by staying on CURRENT business terms and stay exclusively on App Store https://lmg.gg/UQVps

Also app installs on iPadOS don’t count? https://lmg.gg/RUGyB

App marketplace devs pay CTF every time their marketplace app is installed, even before 1 million https://lmg.gg/eBC2C

Apple does recognize the danger of install spam https://lmg.gg/56nab

the only entity that can bankrupt you is Apple: https://twitter.com/nikitabier/status/1750592825060921353

Need a letter of credit of a million Euros to launch a marketplace https://lmg.gg/3Cksu

Why only in EU? Cuz of danger: Apple blocked $2 billion in fraudulent transactions in 2022 https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2023/05/app-store-stopped-more-than-2-billion-in-fraudulent-transactions-in-2022/

So did… Google https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2023/03/play-commerce-prevented-fraudulent-and-abusive-transactions-in-2022.html

silajim · February 21

Hi, as an EU member I asked the European commission when the malicious compliance first came on, I received this answer a few days ago:

Quote

Thank you for contacting the Europe Direct Contact Centre.

We have consulted the Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (CNECT). Please find below the answer to your question.

"Thank you for emailing us with your concerns about Apple’s and Alphabet’s implementation of the DMA and more specifically about the revision of Apple’s terms for app developers.

Regarding your question on relevant DMA provisions, Article 5 (7) DMA enables business users, for example app developers, to directly handle payment services or choose payment systems, Article 5 (4) DMA allows for link-outs and Article 6 (4) DMA for third-party App Stores.

As you pointed out, Apple’s new terms introduce among other things a core technology fee and require a notarisation for iOS apps and a security check of third-party app stores. Apple announced these changes to apply from March 2024.

For your background, gatekeepers must ensure effective compliance with their obligations under the DMA by 7 March 2024. Apple has until that date to present a solution that complies with the DMA. Afterwards, the Commission will assess which practices are still to be addressed.

You will understand that the Commission cannot share any details on its assessment at this stage.

However, the changes that Apple has put forward are by no means endorsed by the Commission.

We are currently gathering feedback on Apple’s announcement and therefore highly appreciate your input. Rest assured that the Commission will take action to ensure that gatekeepers comply with their obligations under the DMA."