Apple still sees fundamental open questions in the implementation of new EU rules to open up smartphone platforms. The group is particularly badly affected by the European Digital Markets Act (DMA) because, among other things, it has to allow other app stores on its iPhone for the first time. Before adopting the new platform rules, Apple warned for a long time that this could endanger the security of users.
Now Apple manager Kyle Andeer said at a debate in Brussels on Monday that the company is working to meet the DMA requirements. At the same time, the question of how other app stores could be approved without jeopardizing the integrity of Apple products is being investigated.
Among other things, Andeer pointed out that the examiners in Apple’s own download platform filtered out many fraudulent or non-functioning applications. Going forward, users need to be assured that apps will work as advertised, regardless of the source they were downloaded from, he said. The question is how this can be done.
The Apple manager pointed out that according to the DMA, companies are allowed to take both technical and contractual measures to ensure the integrity of their devices and software. According to the law, such steps must be reasonable and the platform operator must justify that they are necessary to that extent.
Spotify: Apple should change App Store rules
The music streaming market leader Spotify, which has long been in a clinch with Apple, has called on the iPhone company to change its app store rules. Among other things, the regulation that prescribes the use of Apple’s system for in-app purchases within applications must fall. The DMA specifications are easy to meet in this way, said Spotify manager Gene Burrus.
For in-app purchases, Apple collects a fee of up to 30 percent of the purchase price. Spotify therefore no longer offers subscriptions within its iPhone app. Streaming services can allow the use of subscriptions purchased on the web in the iPhone apps. However, you may not point out to the users in the apps that the subscriptions can also be taken out elsewhere. The EU Commission is taking action against Apple on Spotify’s complaint.
