appleplans major changes to iOS and other products and services to meet EU requirements set in the Digital Markets and Services Act. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Cupertino will redesign its platform to “open up the essentials,” meaning iPhone and iPad users will be able to download apps via third-party app stores and websites.
The changes are envisioned to occur only in the 27 member states of the European Union, laying the groundwork for the eventual expansion of services to other regions.
Update plans will likely arrive with iOS 17 in 2023, as companies have until 2024 to fully comply with the Digital Markets Act. The app also includes broader access to the NFC chip, camera, Find My Network and AirTag, and brings new web browsing engines to iPhones and iPads.
Gurman revealed that Apple plans to charge developers even if they don’t distribute their apps through the App Store.
The Digital Markets and Digital Services Act are bills that aim to promote fair competition and better privacy protection, and to remove some invasive targeted advertising. Apple’s actions are primarily within the scope of initial action, which is expected to offer better interoperability with smaller competing services.
Let’s say Cupertino decides not to comply with the law that went into effect on January 1, 2024. In this case, regulators may impose a fine of 10% of the total worldwide turnover, with 20% for repeated offenses.