Apple is under renewed pressure from the European Commission (EC) to update its App Store policies to comply with the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA). The company now has less than 30 days to make the necessary changes or face significant financial penalties.
Ongoing Violations and Regulatory Action
In April, the EC imposed a €500 million fine on Apple, citing violations of the DMA. The recently released 68-page decision details how Apple’s current App Store rules remain out of compliance, particularly regarding restrictions that prevent developers from informing users about alternative sales or offers outside the App Store.
The EC criticized Apple’s use of so-called "anti-steering" rules, which create obstacles for users seeking to complete transactions outside of Apple's ecosystem. One example highlighted by regulators is the use of warning messages—dubbed "scare sheets"—that appear when users attempt to follow external payment links. These messages caution users that Apple is not responsible for the privacy or security of purchases made on external websites.
Potential Consequences for Non-Compliance
If Apple fails to comply within the EU, it could face periodic penalty payments of up to five percent of its daily global revenue. The EC maintains that these measures are necessary to ensure fair competition and consumer choice within the digital marketplace.
Apple's Response and Next Steps
Apple has expressed disappointment with the EC’s findings. In a statement to 9to5Mac, the company argued, “there is nothing in the 70-page decision released today that justifies the European Commission’s targeted actions against Apple, which threaten the privacy and security of our users in Europe and force us to give away our technology for free.” Apple further described the decision as "bad for innovation, bad for competition, bad for our products, and bad for users."
The company intends to appeal the decision before the June 22 deadline set by the EC.
As the deadline approaches, the tech industry is watching closely to see how Apple will respond and what impact the outcome may have on app marketplaces across Europe and beyond.
