34 App Developers Join Forces to Challenge Apple's App Store Policy in Letter to European Commission

34 app developers, including Spotify and Epic Games, have collaborated to send a joint letter to the European Commission regarding Apple's recent changes to the App Store policy. In the letter, they express their concerns about the policy, arguing that Apple is not adhering to the Digital Markets Act rules.

"Apple's new rules not only defy both the spirit and the letter of the law but also overlook the DMA and the efforts of the EC and EU institutions to foster competitiveness in digital markets," stated the app developers in the letter sent to the Commission.

The companies highlighted several aspects of the new rules that they believe violate the DMA regulations. For instance, developers are required to pay a fee of 50 cents per installation if their iOS app surpasses one million downloads. The fee is described as "intended to perpetuate and further reinforce Apple's control over app users," according to the letter. The app developers argue that this provision discourages companies from abiding by the new rules, forcing them to continue following the old rules that do not align with the DMA.

The parties also assert that the DMA mandates Apple to permit sideloading, but the new rules do not truly facilitate this. The process of installing and using alternative app stores is deemed "challenging, risky, and financially unappealing for developers" under the revised conditions. The 34 companies view the EC's response to Apple's proposal as a crucial test of the DMA and urge the Commission to swiftly address the concerns raised against the tech giant.

Both Spotify and Epic Games had previously voiced their discontent with the updated App Store guidelines but have now consolidated their grievances in a formal letter. Other signatories to the letter include Proton, Mustang, music streaming service Deezer, and Blockchain.com. Apple announced its updated App Store policy in January, with companies expected to comply with the Digital Markets Act by March 6. Tweakers has published an in-depth article on the new rules.