EU DMA Investigation Prompts Apple to Revise Fees and Link Rules

Apple has recently updated its terms and policies for app developers in the European Union to align with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). The new compliance plan allows developers to link to outside payment systems and promote other platforms. However, these updates include new fees, enabling Apple to take a cut of each purchase. The company has also settled its antitrust case with the EU, agreeing to open its Apple Pay platform to external payment options.

The updated rules, detailed on Apple’s developer support website, outline the various percentages Apple will take from each purchase. For developers who enroll under the new terms, Apple imposes a 5% initial acquisition fee on all sales of digital goods and services within a 12-month period after an initial app install. Additionally, a 10% store services fee applies to all sales within a 12-month period after any install, including re-installs.

Developers already part of Apple’s existing terms face higher fines for adding external links, with a 20% fee for a 12-month period after install, which reduces to 7% for participants in the App Store Small Business Program. These new policies have drawn criticism from major app developers. Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, criticized Apple on X, calling the new 15% fee on users migrating to competing stores “malicious compliance.” Spotify also expressed concerns, stating that Apple’s new fees disregard the DMA’s fundamental requirements.

The European Commission has been urged to expedite its investigation and enforce the DMA more stringently. Spotify has called for daily fines to be implemented to ensure compliance. The new terms and policies have sparked a significant debate among developers and legal experts, highlighting the ongoing tension between major tech companies and regulatory bodies in the EU.

Source: Apple revises fees and link policies following EU DMA investigation