At the end of April, Apple was fined €500 million by the European Union for failing to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) regulations. Until now, the App Store has not allowed developers to include buttons, links, and other elements that redirect to external payment methods to avoid paying app store fees. But that has changed.
Apple has updated its App Store policy to accept external payment alternatives to its system. Companies like Epic and Spotify, which have fought tirelessly to make this happen, have already included links to their own payment methods without paying through the checkout.
Additionally, subscribers to apps like Spotify will now have the right to view full pricing details for subscription plans and access alternative payment options.
Apple changes its App Store policy
Apple has sent an email to App Store developers announcing changes to its store rules. In the email, the California-based company announces that apps are no longer prohibited from using buttons, external links, and other calls to action to promote purchases on its services.
Under the new App Store rules, the ban on recommending users to use a payment method other than the App Store purchase system no longer applies in the United States.
Be that as it may, Apple has also decided to appeal the Court’s decision.
Spotify, Epic, and other companies have won the battle against Apple
Apple has had major legal disputes with companies like Spotify and Epic. Spotify has harshly criticized the company with the bitten apple logo for considering it “absurd” that it cannot offer basic services to its subscribers.
For its part, Epic saw its golden goose, Fortnite, removed from the App Store precisely for failing to comply with this regulation. Now, Epic has its own store and has announced plans to introduce a digital storefront that will allow developers to redirect their customers to an external payment system structured within the Epic Games Store. Additionally, it will not charge developers any commission until they reach $1 million in revenue. After that, they will take a 12% commission on revenue.
In Europe, Apple has also had to accept the arrival of alternative app stores to the App Store in order to comply with European Commission regulations. The ban on emulators for iPhone and iPad has also been lifted.
