Last week, the Digital Markets Act (DMA) went into effect in the European Union. It mandates that Apple provide third-party app stores for iPhones and gives developers the option to not use Apple's in-app payment mechanism, which can charge up to 30% in fees.
As part of the changes mandated by new EU legislation, which force Apple to open up its closed eco-system, the tech giant announced on Tuesday that software developers using the App Store will be able to distribute apps to customers in the EU straight from their websites this spring.
Last week, the Digital Markets Act (DMA) went into effect in the European Union. It mandates that Apple provide third-party app stores for iPhones and gives developers the option to not use Apple's in-app payment mechanism, which can charge up to 30% in fees.
"We're providing more flexibility for developers who distribute apps in the European Union, including introducing a new way to distribute apps directly from a developer's website," a blog post from Apple stated.
"Apple will provide authorised developers access to APIs (application programming interfaces) that facilitate the distribution of their apps from the web, integrate with system functionality, back up and restore users' apps, and more," according to the firm.
Aside from that, as of right now, developers who launch alternative app marketplaces can sell a catalogue consisting entirely of the apps developed by that marketplace.
Instead of using Apple's template, developers have more creative freedom to construct in-app promos, discounts, and other incentives that redirect consumers to their website to complete the transaction.
The ongoing criticism from Apple's competitors regarding its compliance efforts is the impetus for these measures.
Fines for DMA infractions might reach 10% of a company's worldwide turnover.
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