Apple recently announced changes to app development rules for developers in the European region to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) that the European Commission has raised concerns about and may have violated earlier. These new app development rules come with two new fees: the Initial Acquisition Fee and Store Services Fee, even though Apple claims that developers will overall pay less. However, two prominent figures in the tech industry disagree with this statement.
Firstly, Tim Sweeney, the CEO of Epic Games (who recently called Find My a “junk” feature), stated that the new regulations are dangerous because they include a Junk Fee increase of 15% if developers wish to move their apps to a different store. Additionally, Apple must scrutinize transactions further.
In the updated app development rules, Apple mentions that developers can choose not to pay the Core Technology Fee, but they will incur two new fees totaling 15%. Additionally, Spotify, another key player, criticized the complicated nature of these new rules. These include a 25% fee to let companies communicate marketing directly with users, showing Apple’s disregard for complying with DMA principles. The European Commission has made it clear that various additional fees are unacceptable, prompting companies to reach out to them for a daily fee structure adjustment proposal.
As of now, the European Commission has not issued a statement regarding Apple’s rule changes.
Source: TechCrunch
TLDR: Apple introduces new app development fees in Europe to comply with DMA, facing backlash from industry leaders like Epic Games and Spotify due to increased costs and lack of clarity on the regulations. European Commission yet to comment.
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