Apple announces sweeping App Store changes in the EU

Summary

Apple has announced several major changes to its App Store guidelines in the European Union as part of its ongoing efforts to comply with the Digital Markets Act. Policy changes First, Apple has announced a set of policy changes for developers with apps distributed in the European Union. These changes apply to all developers, regardless of whether or not they’ve opted into Apple’s alternative business terms in the EU. Previously, Apple allowed developers under the EU terms to add a single static URL in their apps, with restrictions on things like tracking parameters, redirects, and intermediate links. Developers could also only communicate and promote offers to their own websites. With today’s changes, Apple is loosening that grip. Developers can now promote offers across all channels, not just their own websites. This includes external websites, other apps, and alternative app marketplaces. It also includes in-app promotions using native UI or in-app webviews. Developers are no longer limited to a single static URL. They can include multiple destinations in their apps. The links can also include tracking parameters, redirects, and more. Developers can freely design their interfaces for links and promotions. Apple is also shifting its stance on the so-called “scare sheet” that users see when they tap on external links. Now, users will see a disclosure sheet the first time they tap on a link, but there’s a new option to opt out of seeing that disclosure sheet for future interactions in the same app. Developers in the EU can take advantage of these changes today. Business terms Alongside those changes, Apple has announced additional changes to business terms in the European Union. The changes do not apply to apps distributed via alternative app marketplaces. They also do not apply to communication and promotion offers that use static text inside an app. They only apply to links that direct users to the web, as well as in-app alternative payment service providers. Init...