Apple Updates EU App Store Rules Following €500 Million Fine

Apple has implemented significant changes to its EU App Store policies to comply with the Digital Markets Act and avoid further substantial fines, including a €500 million penalty earlier this year. The updates allow developers to direct users to external payment systems and promote offers outside the App Store, removing previous restrictions considered anti-competitive by EU regulators. However, Apple introduced a complex fee structure involving an initial acquisition fee, a store services fee, and a Core Technology Commission for developers using outside payment methods, which has drawn criticism for maintaining financial burdens and limiting true competition. Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney condemned the changes as unfair, highlighting that apps using alternative payments face commercial disadvantages such as blocked auto-updates and impaired user experience. The European Commission continues to evaluate Apple's compliance with the DMA, seeking feedback from developers and stakeholders. Meanwhile, similar regulatory pressures are emerging in other markets, such as Russia, where legislation aims to break Apple’s App Store monopoly by mandating a unified app store and unrestricted app installations.