According to a Reuters report, the European Union antitrust regulators are likely to approve Apple’s App Store updates, helping the company avoid potential €50M daily fines under the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
Under the revamped terms, developers in the EU can now include unlimited links in their apps directing users to external payment options. Apple has also overhauled its fee system: a general 20% commission on App Store sales is now available, but developers qualifying for a small-business rate may pay as little as 13%.
Meanwhile, apps steering customers outside the App Store will incur a separate charge of between 5% and 15%.
These changes address the European Commission’s main concern, that Apple’s previous policies effectively blocked developers from pointing users to cheaper or alternative payment systems outside its platform. The DMA requires so-called “gatekeepers” to allow developers to inform users of external deals and payment methods.
Brussels is expected to complete its evaluation of the updated App Store framework in the coming weeks. The final approval would allow Apple to avoid what could have been a daily fine equal to 5% of its global daily revenue, roughly €50 million. However, the official timing remains uncertain.
Earlier this month, Apple defended the adjustments as essential to avoid punitive penalties, while criticizing the Commission’s intervention as overly prescriptive. The basic €500 million fine, which was levied for previously restricting developers, is still under appeal.
The outcome of this case will set a key precedent for how tech giants must adapt their app economies, not just in Europe but potentially worldwide.
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