For 15 years, Apple’s App Store was the only way to download apps on iOS. Image: Maria Diaz/ZDNET.
Anticipating the entry into force in March of the new regulation on digital markets in the European Union – the Digital Markets Act, or DMA – Apple announced that downloading applications outside of its App Store would be possible from the beta version of iOS 17.4.
A loss of control for Apple
Unsurprisingly, Apple is unhappy with its loss of control over iOS applications, believing that DMA creates risks to the privacy and security of its users.
“The changes announced today are intended to comply with the requirements of regulation of digital markets in the European Union, while helping to protect European users against the inevitable increase in threats to privacy and security that this law leads,” emphasizes Apple’s Phil Schiller. “Our priority remains creating the best and most secure experience possible for our users in the European Union and around the world. »
Apple will therefore allow the sideloading of applications, but it will also impose authentication, that is to say “a combination of automated verifications and human reviews” for all iOS applications. The company also requires developers to fill out app install sheets, permissions to ensure they meet Apple’s security requirements and protections against malware that prevents apps from launching. Sideloaded apps if they are found to contain malware after being installed on a device.
The App Store remains more secure, according to Apple
Apple urges developers to continue distributing their apps through the App Store rather than other methods, clarifying that while these solutions help mitigate some of the security risks created by DMA, they do not. will not eliminate.
“Developers can now learn about new tools and terms available for alternative app distribution and alternative payment processing, new capabilities for alternative browser engines and contactless payments, and much more Again. It is important to note that developers can choose to remain on the same commercial terms in place today if they prefer,” highlights Phil Schiller.
Sideloading applications allows you to obtain applications from various sources – and not just from the official application store installed on the mobile operating system. Contrary to what one might believe from listening to Apple, applications downloaded from alternative distribution channels are not always linked to malicious activity. However, by circumventing the restrictions and conditions of use of the official “app stores”, they can expose their users to risks.
Find balance
The regulation on digital markets, the DMA, was voted by the European Union to qualify the influence of those called “gatekeepers”, particularly in terms of competition. The DMA aims in particular to broaden consumer choice, promote fair competition, ensure transparency and encourage interoperability.
Apple is therefore seeking to find a balance to comply with the new legislation while maintaining its current mode of operation, which allows it to control its operating system much more than its main competitor, Google. Indeed, Android users have already been able to download applications outside of the Google Play store for a long time. Furthermore, the commissions collected by Google from developers are much lower than those of Apple.
App Store Changes
Apple also announced a change in the commercial conditions for iOS applications in the EU: the company notably reduces its commission on purchases in the App Store to 10% (compared to 30% currently), and 17% for goods and digital services. It gives developers the option to use App Store payment processing for an additional 3% fee or use a payment service provider in their app or link to their website at no cost additional.
All apps will pay 0.50 euros for each first install above a threshold of 1 million, whether they were downloaded from the App Store or from another source. This raises questions about implementation and monitoring. Although Apple hasn’t been very clear on how it plans to implement this strategy for apps moving out of its App Store, it’s safe to assume it plans to do so through its new app process. authentication.
Apple also announced changes to its App Store and Safari to comply with the DMA, including the introduction of more than 600 new APIs, expanded app analytics, changes to NFC payments, and more. These changes will be applied to all users in the 27 EU countries in March, when iOS 17.4 is officially released.
Source: ZDNet.com