Apple (AAPL, Financial) has made significant changes to its App Store regulations and fee structures, which are likely to gain approval from the European Union's antitrust authorities. This adjustment could help Apple avoid hefty fines amounting to millions of euros daily. Last month, Apple announced that developers making purchases via the App Store would incur a 20% processing fee, though those eligible for Apple's Small Business Program could see rates as low as 13%. Additionally, developers directing consumers to external payment options will face fees ranging from 5% to 15% and can offer multiple external payment links.
These changes come after the EU imposed a €500 million (approximately $587 million) fine on Apple, citing restrictions that hinder developers from guiding users to alternative payment methods, in violation of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The EU has given Apple 60 days to lift these restrictions to comply with legislation aimed at curbing tech giants' monopolies and promoting market competition.
The European Commission is expected to approve Apple's modifications in the coming weeks, although the timeline may still change. An EU spokesperson mentioned that all options remain under consideration as they evaluate Apple's proposed changes. Apple has yet to comment but had previously criticized the EU for excessive intervention in its operations.
