Telecommunications iPhone users in the EU will be able to remove the Apple App Store in future
In the European Union, users of smartphones and tablets from the US company Apple will be able to remove its App Store and Safari browser from their devices in future. The US company is thus adapting to new EU competition rules.
23.08.2024, 01:33
SDA
The App Store, the short message service Messages, the Safari browser and the Camera and Photos functions could be removed by iPhone and iPad users in the EU in future, Apple announced on a website for developers on Thursday.
According to the company, only the Settings and Phone applications cannot be removed in future. However, EU consumers will be able to change their settings for browsers, short message services, phone calls and other applications.
One of the reasons for the Apple Group's success is that its various devices are all compatible with each other. However, users have so far hardly been able to bypass the Apple App Store or other applications from the group in order to use the services of other providers.
Since the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA) came into force a year ago, Brussels and the US company have been at loggerheads with legal proceedings and threats. "The rules of the App Store hinder the DMA and prevent app developers from attracting consumers to alternative distribution channels for offers and content," the EU Commission criticized in a preliminary statement following an investigation.
If the EU confirms this preliminary assessment and Apple does not adapt its App Store rules, the US company could face a fine of up to ten percent of its global turnover. Based on last year's sales, this would amount to more than 30 billion euros. In the event of repeated violations, the EU even provides for penalties amounting to 20 percent of global turnover. Apple therefore agreed to make adjustments last month.
Apple has long justified its closed system with security concerns, as this would protect users from infiltration by malware and data protection violations. In its announcement on the developer website, the company has now made it clear that alternative browsers may only be offered on its devices if they meet certain "confidentiality and security requirements".
In addition to the EU, companies such as the computer games company Epic Games and the streaming service Spotify are also taking exception to Apple's previous rules, as they have to pay a commission to Apple when installing their programs via the Apple App Store.
