Currently, the company’s App Store is the only place where iPhone users can download apps.
Apple has consistently argued that its policies safeguard users’ security.
However, it has been charged with establishing a monopoly, forcing clients and developers to use its own channels, and taking up to 30% of developers’ fees.
This has meant that the millions of people who use Apple devices are not exposed to developers who either do not meet Apple’s requirements to be on the App Store or do not want to pay its fees.
At this point, the UK’s Digital Markets Bill, which is presently passing through Parliament, is expected to subject Apple’s business practices to a comparable level of regulatory scrutiny, but the changes will not yet be implemented there.
Fortnite’s developer, Epic, is well known for pulling their popular game from the App Store due to issues with the store’s policies. It can still be played online, but it hasn’t been available on the App Store since 2020.
Theoretically, this action might allow European iPhone users to download the Fortnite app again through an alternative app store.
This action coincides with the implementation of the EU’s Digital Markets Act. The new law’s objective is to control the biggest businesses that act as gatekeepers to
search engines and app stores to level the playing field for both larger and smaller businesses.
Additionally, Apple promised to expand browser options, enabling European Union citizens to choose not to use the company’s Safari web browser from the moment they launch it.
Though it was establishing strict guidelines for all new alternative app stores and apps, it cautioned that customers would face more security risks as a result of this move, as well as a higher chance of falling victim to fraud, malware, and scams concealed in apps downloaded from other sources.
“The changes we’re announcing today help shield EU users from the inevitable increased privacy and security risks while also complying with the requirements of the Digital Markets Act in the European Union.
