European Developers Sound the Alarm: Apple’s App Store Fees Still Flout New EU Tech Law
In a dramatic escalation of Europe’s tech regulatory showdown, a coalition of app developers and consumer groups is calling on the European Union to enforce its landmark Digital Markets Act (DMA) against Apple — asserting that the iPhone maker still isn’t playing by the rules. (Reuters)
Despite a historic €500 million fine earlier this year handed down by the European Commission for breaching EU digital rules, Apple’s revised App Store terms have not satisfied critics. Developers argue that fee structures — even after being adjusted in mid-2025 — continue to amount to disguised commissions on app purchases and external payments. They say this undermines the DMA’s core intent: fairer competition and genuinely open markets. (Reuters)
Why Developers Are Pushing Back
The crux of the conflict centers on Apple’s fee model:
- European developers contend that Apple’s recent fee tiers — roughly 13%–20% on App Store purchases and 5%–15% on external transactions — still violate the DMA’s promise of commission-free external payment paths. (Reuters)
- They say the fees put EU developers at a competitive disadvantage compared with U.S. peers, particularly after a recent U.S. court ruling limited Apple’s fees on external payments. (News.az)
The Coalition for App Fairness (CAF), representing developers including Deezer and Proton, has urged EU regulators to reaffirm enforcement and, if needed, escalate the issue to the European Court of Justice. (Reuters)
Apple’s Position: Changes Are Coming — But Is It Enough?
Apple has signaled further adjustments to its EU policy framework, slated to take effect in January 2026, but has not yet published precise details. That ambiguity has fuelled frustration among developers who need regulatory clarity to plan their business strategies. (Technology.org)
From Apple’s own standpoint, the changes already rolled out — including alternative payment support and revised distribution terms — reflect efforts to comply with the DMA while balancing concerns around security, privacy and platform integrity. (Apple Developer)
High Stakes for the EU’s Digital Rulebook
The DMA — implemented in 2023 — is one of the boldest attempts globally to rein in dominant tech platforms labeled as “gatekeepers.” It requires them to allow users and developers more freedoms, such as using alternative payment systems and installing third-party app stores. (OUP Academic)
The current dispute spotlights two broader themes:
- Regulatory enforcement vs. corporate compliance: Even after penalties, companies can creatively reinterpret rules in ways regulators and industry groups challenge.
- Global tech policy tension: With the U.S. and EU taking different approaches to platform regulation, developers are caught in the middle — advocating for clarity and fairness across jurisdictions.
Whether the EU Commission accedes to the developers’ push or stands by Apple’s incremental changes could shape the future of app marketplaces not just in Europe, but worldwide.
Glossary
- Digital Markets Act (DMA): A European Union regulation designed to ensure fair competition in digital markets, especially by restricting anti-competitive practices by large “gatekeeper” platforms like Apple and Google. (OUP Academic)
- App Store Fees: Charges that a platform (like Apple’s App Store) imposes on developers for distributing or processing payments for digital goods and services. (Technology.org)
- Coalition for App Fairness (CAF): A group of app developers and consumer advocates pressuring regulators to enforce fairer digital market rules. (Reuters)
Source: https://www.techinasia.com/news/eu-developers-push-digital-markets-act-enforcement-on-apple-fees
