Apple has announced its plan to enable software developers in the European Union (EU) to distribute their applications directly from their websites, a move mandated by the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). This change comes in response to the new regulations compelling Apple to open its closed ecosystem, granting developers more flexibility and options.
In compliance with the Digital Markets Act, which came into effect last week, Apple will introduce measures allowing developers to distribute their apps to EU users via their own websites. This development marks a significant departure from Apple’s previous practice of exclusively distributing apps through its App Store.
“We’re providing more flexibility for developers who distribute apps in the European Union, including introducing a new way to distribute apps directly from a developer’s website,” Apple stated in a blog post.
Under the new provisions, Apple will grant authorized developers access to application programming interfaces (APIs) to facilitate the distribution of their apps from the web. These APIs will integrate with system functionality, enable the backup and restoration of users’ apps, among other functionalities.
Furthermore, developers who establish alternative app marketplaces will now have the immediate ability to offer a catalog exclusively consisting of the marketplace developer’s own apps. This change aims to empower developers to create diverse and innovative app ecosystems beyond the confines of Apple’s App Store.
Additionally, developers will have the liberty to design in-app promotions, discounts, and other deals when redirecting users to complete transactions on their websites instead of utilizing Apple’s predefined templates.
The announcement from Apple comes amidst ongoing criticism from industry competitors, who argue that the company’s compliance efforts have been inadequate. Under the DMA, companies found in violation of the regulations could face fines of up to 10 percent of their global turnover.
