Apple Complies with EU Digital Markets Act with New Developer Policies
Apple announced a series of updates to its developer policies to comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) on Thursday. The news comes in response to earlier fines imposed by EU regulators for noncompliance with the DMA, totaling €500 million. The deadline for these updates was set for June 26, after which Apple would face additional fines.
One of the key changes in Apple’s new policies is the introduction of “anti-steering” rules, allowing EU app developers to link to alternative payment methods for subscriptions and in-app purchases outside the App Store through various channels. These links can be shared on websites, alternative app marketplaces, within other apps, and more, without the need for warning screens or specific text requirements.
Additionally, Apple has replaced its Core Technology Fee (CTF) with a more complex fee structure. Developers now face an initial acquisition fee of 2% and a store services fee of either 13% or 5%, depending on their chosen tier. Tier 1 developers have access to a limited set of App Store services, while Tier 2 offers additional marketing tools, automatic updates, and more.
For apps wishing to link to alternative payment methods via the StoreKit External Purchase Link Entitlement (EU) Addendum, a Core Technology Commission (CTC) has been introduced to replace the CTF. Developers previously paying the CTF of €0.50 per app install after exceeding 1 million downloads will transition to the new CTC by January 1, 2026.
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney, known for his legal battles with Apple over app store policies, criticized the new changes as “malicious compliance.” Sweeney argued that Apple’s scheme undermines fair competition in digital markets by taxing and limiting apps with competing payment methods in the App Store.
Despite Apple’s statement claiming that the CTC reflects the value it provides to developers through investments in tools and services, critics like Sweeney remain skeptical of the company’s motives.
