Apple’s new plan to comply with European Union rules has already drawn criticism from Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney and Spotify. Now Microsoft is voicing its own concerns, calling the changes to the EU App Store “a step in the wrong direction.”
Official in March Apple iOS 17.4 for the EU: third-party app stores, new terms for developers and other radical changes
Apple has proposed a new core distribution technology fee for apps that will run on third-party app stores to the EU. Developers using third-party app stores need to pay €0.50 per app installation per year after 1 million downloads. Apple will also take a 17% commission from developers who choose to use third-party payment systems.
“Apple’s new policy is a step in the wrong direction,” Xbox president Sarah Bond said in a statement on X. “We hope they listen to feedback on their proposed plan and work to create a more inclusive future for everyone.”
Spotify has also accused Apple of “demanding” a new App Store tax and is calling on EU regulators to take action.
The European Commission says it will publish a response to Apple’s changes when the rules officially come into force in March, and promises “strong action” if “Apple’s proposed solutions are not good enough.”
Source: The Verge
