EU ‘welcomes’ Apple steps to comply with digital rules

Apple has frequently criticized the Digital Markets Act's antitrust rules, saying it has no choice but to make the changes under threat of large fines.(AFP) — The European Commission on Tuesday welcomed changes made by Apple to its rules for app developers to address charges that it violated the bloc’s competition rules and avert the risk of new fines.The commission fined Apple 500 million euros ($586 million) in April 2025 after concluding that it violated EU rules by preventing developers from directing customers outside its App Store to access cheaper deals.An EU statement said Apple has committed to offering revised terms to developers for both the iPhone and iPad, allowing them to choose among the App Store, third-party app stores or the web as distribution channels.“The Commission welcomes Apple’s changes to their business terms,” the EU executive said in a statement, adding that the tech giant would implement the new terms in the bloc beginning in October 2026.Apple issued its own statement announcing the changes, which it said “resolve Apple’s disagreements with the Commission over business terms and alternative distribution.”After last year’s fine, which Apple has appealed, the company was told to make changes to comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act, or DMA, or face additional “periodic penalty payments” that could exceed 50 million euros a day.It submitted an initial set of proposals the following June and has since been engaged in a back-and-forth with the commission over the final shape of its offer.“At this stage the Commission is not considering periodic penalty payments, but is rather monitoring the announced measure,” an EU spokesperson said when asked whether Apple’s commitment lifted the threat of new penalties.According to the commission, the new terms give developers “greater freedom” to direct App Store users to alternative platforms and payment systems.Apple also committed to reducing and simplifying its App Store fees, and EU users will be able to use alternative app distribution channels even when traveling outside the bloc, the commission said.The EU has strengthened its regulatory powers in recent years with two major laws, the DMA and the Digital Services Act, which governs online content. The U.S. administration has criticized the laws as regulatory overreach.Apple has frequently criticized the DMA’s antitrust rules, saying it has no choice but to make the changes under threat of large fines.The tech giant filed a challenge before a top EU court, arguing that stricter DMA rules should not apply to its iOS operating system and App Store, but the case was dismissed last month.U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized the EU’s digital laws and taxes as “non-tariff barriers” to trade, and many tech executives have aligned themselves with his administration.Subscribe to our free newslettersOur weekly newsletter Closing Arguments offers the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world, while the monthly Under the Lights dishes the legal dirt from Hollywood, sports, Big Tech and the arts.Additional Reads