Apple Overhauls EU App Store Policies to Align with Digital Markets Act

In response to the European Commission's Digital Markets Act, Apple has revamped its EU App Store guidelines, providing developers with greater flexibility in linking users to external promotions and purchases. The updated policy introduces two tiers of store services, with varying cuts for Apple depending on the features developers require. The mandatory Tier 1 offers basic features like app reviews and Apple Support for a 5% cut, while the optional Tier 2 provides additional functionalities like automatic update downloads and search visibility for a 13% cut. Developers can opt for Tier 1 and switch tiers quarterly, with a 2% initial acquisition fee applying to both tiers. Apple's move is seen as an attempt to comply with the European Commission's requirements, which previously fined the company $565.5 million for non-compliance. The new system has drawn criticism, with Epic's Tim Sweeney labeling it a 'malicious compliance scheme'.