By Reported by the Financial Times, the European Union has initiated an investigation into Apple’s decision to cease support for web apps within the EU. The European Commission has dispatched inquiries to both Apple and app developers to evaluate the ramifications of this action, slated to take effect in March. “We are indeed examining the compliance packages of all gatekeepers, including Apple,” affirmed a spokesperson from the European Commission to The Verge. “In this regard, we are specifically scrutinizing the matter of progressive web apps.”
The bypassing of App Store fees was facilitated by web apps.
- Due to the recent modifications, web apps will cease to operate independently and instead function as bookmarks.
- Apple asserts that these changes were imperative to adhere to the EU’s newly enacted Digital Markets Act (DMA).
- Progressive web apps, alternatively known as homepage web apps, are applications based on the web that can be installed directly onto an iPhone’s home screen.
- They offer developers a means to circumvent Apple’s App Store and the associated fees.
- According to Thierry Breton, the EU’s Internal Markets Commissioner, any company found to be non-compliant with the DMA will be subject to severe sanctions, as stated to the Financial Times.
For compliance with the DMA, Apple asserts that the move is necessary.
The Digital Markets Act (DMA), introduced by the European Union last year, aims to enhance competition in digital marketplaces by regulating major online platforms. It categorizes companies such as Apple as “gatekeepers” and mandates them to fully support third-party browser engines.
Apple contends that meeting these obligations is impractical. In a developer Q&A session, the company stated that enabling progressive web app features for third parties without compromising user security was not feasible given the other demands of the DMA.
The EU’s inquiry is still in its preliminary stages, with regulators seeking information to assess the impacts on both app developers and iPhone users before determining subsequent actions.
EU officials have suggested that formal proceedings might be avoided if Apple makes further concessions. Under the DMA, fines for noncompliance can reach up to 10% of a company’s annual turnover.
Apple had previously announced iOS adjustments in Europe to comply with the legislation, such as permitting third-party app stores and alternative payment methods. However, competitors argue that additional fees hinder the development of alternatives.
