The CEO of Spotify and Epic Games is not happy with the recent changes in Apple’s App Store.
Photo: Cult of Mac
Spotify and Epic Games have criticised Apple for its recent changes to the App Store fee and external linking in the EU, claiming that Apple has once again disregarded the “basic requirements” of the Digital Markets Act.
On August 8, 2024, Apple announced new EU app store policies to comply with the Digital Markets Act. This follows the European Commission’s decision in June that Apple had violated the law’s governance rules.
Epic Games CEO criticizes Apple for imposing a 15% “junk fee” on its users
As part of the changes, Apple is making it easier for developers to link to external websites or alternative app stores for purchasing options and offers. Users can access these links through an in-app browser or outside the app. Developers can also add as many external links as they want in their apps. These links can include redirects and other parameters, but cannot create user profiles. The new changes will take effect in fall 2024.
Despite the lower fees and other changes, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney accused Apple of “malicious compliance” with X. He says the company charges a “15% junk fee” for users who want to switch to a third-party app store.
In the European Union, where the new DMA law opens up competition between app stores, Apple continues its malicious compliance by imposing an illegal new 15% junk fee on users who switch to competing stores and by monitoring commerce on those competing stores.https://t.co/YUYwsnrh32 pic.twitter.com/xAWGkOWPrH
— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) 8 August 2024
Spotify says Apple’s changes to the EU App Store are not DMA compliant
Spotify also issued a statement criticizing Apple’s confusing new App Store changes in the EU. Below is Spotify’s full statement to TechCrunch:
“We are currently reviewing Apple’s deliberately confusing proposal. By charging a fee of up to 25% for basic communications with users, Apple once again blatantly disregards the basic requirements of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The European Commission has made it clear that charging recurring fees for basic elements such as pricing and linking is unacceptable. We call on the Commission to speed up its investigation, impose daily fines and enforce the DMA.”
Spotify and Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney are among the most vocal critics of Apple’s App Store. The two parties have regularly criticized Apple for its monopoly policies and are involved in several legal battles with the company. Only time will tell whether the European Commission will accept Apple’s new changes.
