Hong Kong News

Nonpartisan, Noncommercial, unconstrained.
Wednesday, Mar 22, 2023

Apple 'set to allow rival app stores on iPhone' to meet EU law

Apple 'set to allow rival app stores on iPhone' to meet EU law

Were Apple to open up to outside app stores to comply with the Digital Markets Act, companies like Amazon and Microsoft could theoretically bring their own stores to iPhones and iPads.

Apple is set to allow rival app stores on to the iPhone and iPad in the EU, according to a report.

Bloomberg says the company could make the move as soon as late next year to comply with a new competition law from the bloc, which has already forced the tech giant to reluctantly adopt a new charging standard.

Apple's iPhones have long sported a propriety lightning port, but will replace it with USB-C by the end of 2024, bringing the handsets in line with Android devices and many other portable electronics.

But allowing alternative marketplaces to operate in its notoriously locked-down ecosystem would be a far greater sacrifice for the California-based firm.

For the past several years, Apple has fought a bitter legal battle with video games giant Epic over claims the iPhone's native App Store constitutes a monopoly.

It came after Epic's flagship title, Fortnite, was removed from the store after the company tried to bypass Apple's requirement that it takes a 30% cut from all in-app purchases.

About $10bn in transactions flowed through the App Store last year, according to estimates from mobile analytics company Sensor Tower.

'Potentially seismic'

Were Apple to open up to outside app stores to comply with the EU's Digital Markets Act, a company like Epic may theoretically bring its own shopfront to the company's phones and tablets.

Epic boss Tim Sweeney called on US politicians to pass similar legislation, saying an EU-only edict would "leave American developers in serfdom in the nation where Apple was founded".

Other tech companies that could be well-placed to launch their own iOS app stores are Amazon and Microsoft.

Alex Haffner, competition and regulatory specialist at law firm Fladgate, said it was "potentially seismic".

"The announcement reflects an interesting new approach," he said.

"Whereby, big tech companies may see it as being prudent to pre-empt the regulatory authorities by taking steps that deal with concerns being raised by those authorities - prior to the authorities having the opportunity to impose measures of their own."


Fortnite has long been banned from the App Store

'Most would ignore alternative app stores'


But given the security and simplicity of Apple's own store, apps and services is a large part of the firm's appeal for many customers, they would likely need serious convincing to go elsewhere.

Angelo Zino, a stock analyst at CFRA, said he would expect most people to stick with Apple's App Store.

He added: "The ultimate impact will be minimal, as most consumers are creatures of habit and are very satisfied with the platform. We expect the majority of consumers will keep the status quo."

Bloomberg also reports that Apple is yet to decide whether to comply with other parts of the EU's new law, such as allowing for alternative payment systems to its own.

The EU is expected to start enforcing the act in mid-2024, with hefty fines for violations.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Hong Kong News
Close
0:00
0:00
Credit Suisse's Scandalous History Resulted in an Obvious Collapse - It's time for regulators who fail to do their job to be held accountable and serve as an example by being behind bars.
Goldman Sachs cuts outlook for European bank debt over Credit Suisse crisis
Paris Rioting vs Macron anti democratic law
'Sexual Fantasy' Assignment At US School Outrages Parents
The US government has charged Chinese businessman Guo Wengui with leading a $1 billion fraud scheme that cheated thousands of followers out of their money.
Credit Suisse to borrow $54 billion from Swiss central bank
The BBC problem about China
Russian Hackers Preparing New Cyber Assault Against Ukraine
"Will Fly Wherever International Law Allows": US Warns Russia After Drone Incident
If this was in Tehran, Moscow or Hong Kong
Announcing GPT-4
TRUMP: "Standing before you today, I am the only candidate who can make this promise: I will prevent World War III."
China is calling out the US, UK, and Australia on their submarine pact, claiming they are going further down a dangerous road
A brief banking situation report
We are witnessing widespread bank fails and the president just gave a 5 min speech then walked off camera.
Donald Trump's asked by Tucker Carlson question on if the U.S. should support regime change in Russia?.
'No relation to the American SVB': India's SVC Bank acts to calm depositors amid brand name confusion.
Good news: The U.S. government is now guaranteeing all deposits, held by, Silicon Valley Bank, and the funds are available as of today
Silicon Valley Bank exec was Lehman Brothers CFO
In a potential last-ditch effort, HSBC is considering a rescue deal to save Silicon Valley Bank UK from insolvency
Saudi Arabia has announced a major breakthrough in diplomacy with Iran after two years of intense talks
Elon Musk Is Planning To Build A Town In Texas For His Employees
The Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse effect is spreading around the world, affecting startup companies across the globe
City officials in Berlin announced on Thursday that all swimmers at public pools will soon be allowed to swim topless
Fitness scam
Market Chaos as USDC Loses Peg to USD after $3.3 Billion Reserves Held by Silicon Valley Bank Closed.
A primitive judge in Australia sparked outrage when he told a breastfeeding woman to leave his courtroom for being “a distraction"
Barcelona is feeling the heat as they face corruption charges over payments to former vice-president of Spain's referees' committee, Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira
Banking regulators close SVB, the largest bank failure since the financial crisis
Silicon Valley Bank: Struggles Threaten Tech Startup Ecosystem"
The unelected UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, an immigrant himself, defends new controversial crackdown on illegal migration
Old clip of Bill Gates saying Ukraine is a big, fat, corrupt sinkhole is going viral
Man’s penis amputated by mistake after he’s wrongly diagnosed with a tumour
2 universities in Hong Kong embrace use of ChatGPT, other AI tools
In a major snub to Downing Street's Silicon Valley dreams, UK chip giant Arm has dealt a serious blow to the government's economic strategy by opting for a US listing
Missing Chinese banker was working to set up Singapore family office
Hong Kong ditches Covid mask mandate after 945 days
Xi Jinping and His Wife Meet with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni and Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk
How do stolen goods end up on Amazon, eBay and Facebook Marketplace?
It's the question on everyone's lips: could a four-day workweek be the future of employment?
Is Gold the Ultimate Safe Haven Asset in Times of Uncertainty?
Spain officials quit over trains that were too wide for tunnels...
Hello. Here is our news digest from London.
Corruption and Influence Buying Uncovered in International Mainstream Media: Investigation Reveals Growing Disinformation Mercenaries
When it comes to Tesla vs Lamborghini, an empty vessel makes more noise
European MP Clare Daly condemns US attack on Nord Stream
Former U.S. President Carter will spend his remaining time at home and receive hospice care instead of medication
North Korea test-fires an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan west of Hokkaido
US bombed Nord Stream gas pipelines, claims investigative journalist Seymour Hersh
US Joins 15 NATO Nations in Largest Space Data Collection Initiative in History
×