In response to the new European Union requirements in its Digital Markets and Services Act, arriving in 2024, Apple plans to make its app open to third-party app stores. This information was shared via a tweet by Mark Gurman on twitter and was published Bloomberg. With this, users of Apple products such as the iPhone and iPad can download iOS apps from other websites other than Apple’s own App store.
The change which plans to take place first, in the 27 member countries of the European Union, is expected to expand to other region. It is expected that this change will take effect with the introduction of the iOS 17 in 2023, as companies have until 2024 to fully comply with the Digital Markets Act.
The plan change will also include allowing broader access to the NFC chip, the camera, Find My Network, and the AirTag and bringing new web browsing engines to iPhones and iPads.
The Digital Markets Act and the Digital Services Act are bills intended to promote fair competition and better privacy protection and remove some invasive targeted advertising. Apple’s actions fall primarily under the first act, which is supposed to offer better interoperability with more minor rival services.
Suppose Cupertino decides not to abide by the law that comes into force on January 1, 2024. In that case, regulators might slap a fine of 10% of the total worldwide turnover, with 20% for repeat offenses.
