Apple updates the rules of its EU app store by adding more complicated costs

Apple Thursday announcement A series of updates to its developer policies to comply with the EU digital market law (DMA). The news, which was planned, came just in time to comply with the deadline of June 26, after which the iPhone manufacturer would risk new fines. The changes involve both how appliers of application can contact their customers and apple costs.

EU regulators had earlier Fine apple 500 million euros For non-compliance with the DMA and threatened to impose other sanctions, forcing Apple’s hand.

Regarding the new Apple’s “anti-stenuation” rules, which dictate customer communications, EU application developers will now be able to create a link to other ways to pay for subscriptions and other integrated purchases outside the App Store on any channel. This means that they can share this link on a website, another application market, in another application, and more. These links are also accessible outside the application or in the application using a web view or a native experience, said Apple, and does not have to use warning screens or the text that Apple previously needed.

In addition, instead of removing its basic technology costs (CTF), Apple has introduced a more complex cost structure.

There are now initial acquisition costs (2%) and store service costs. The latter is either 13% or 5%, depending on the level that the developer chooses. (Members of the small businesses are paying 10%). Level 1 developers have access to a more limited set of App Store services, including application notices, manual updates and antifraude measurements. Level 2 gives access to Marketing tools, automatic updates, preservation and personalization features, application information, etc.

Then, for applications that wish to be linked to other payment methods via the addendum of external storekit purchase, there is a basic technology commission (CTC). This will finally replace basic technology costs (CTF).

Before today, the developers paid the basic technology costs of € 0.50 for each application installation after the application has exceeded 1 million downloads. This will continue for developers in the alternative commercial terms of the EU.

For developers on the standard EU terms, the CTC – a 5% commission – will apply rather. Developers who are currently paying the old CTF will move on to the new rules by January 1, 2026.

“The CTC reflects the value that Apple provides to developers through continuous investments in the tools, technologies and services that allow them to create and share innovative applications with users,” Apple said in a press release.

The CEO of Epic Games, Tim Sweeney, whose company continued Apple and won the right to use alternative payments without commission in the United States, reacted to the news on X, Call it a more malicious compliance of Apple.

“The new malicious compliance system for Apple digital markets is clearly illegal in Europe and the United States and makes fun of fair market in digital markets. Applications with competing payments are not only taxed but are commercially paralyzed in the App Store,” he said.