 "Apple’s App Store chief Matt Fischer leaves the tech company in response to sweeping regulatory shake-up – Firstpost")
Fischer’s departure comes at a crucial time for Apple as the company prepares to restructure its App Store team. The company plans to split the team into two divisions: One will continue to manage Apple’s own App Store while also looking for alternative distribution channels for apps.
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Apple’s App Store chief Matt Fischer will leave the company as Apple prepares for significant changes in response to global regulatory pressure. Fischer, who led the App Store since 2010, announced his decision to step down in the coming months, ending his 21-year tenure at the tech giant.
Fischer’s departure comes at a crucial time for Apple as the company prepares a restructuring of its App Store team. The company plans to split the team into two divisions: one will continue to manage Apple’s own App Store, while the other will focus on overseeing alternative app distribution channels. This move is seen as a direct response to increasing scrutiny and regulatory demands worldwide, particularly regarding Apple’s tightly controlled App Store ecosystem.
In an email to his team, Fischer expressed that he has been thinking about this decision for some time and that the timing is right, especially as the company reorganizes to address new challenges and opportunities. He emphasized his confidence in the leaders who will take over after he leaves.
Carson Oliver, a senior director at Apple, will take over Fischer’s role and lead the App Store team. Meanwhile, Ann Thai, currently director of App Store features, will lead the new team focused on alternative app distribution.
Apple is under increasing pressure from regulators and authorities around the world who criticize the company’s practices on the App Store as anti-competitive. The company is facing numerous investigations and legal challenges because its “walled garden” approach limits the distribution of apps to the App Store and imposes strict rules on developers.
In response to European Union regulations, Apple has already taken steps to allow developers in Europe to open third-party app stores, signaling a significant shift in its long-standing practices. However, Apple Fellow Phil Schiller has previously warned that third-party app stores could pose security risks to iPhone users, reflecting the company’s concerns about opening up its ecosystem.
Fischer’s exit and the subsequent restructuring represent a significant moment for Apple as the company navigates the ever-evolving landscape of app distribution and regulatory compliance.
