If you still think, this is only about EPIC or Spotify, you're mistaken. 27 European governments had to agree during long negotiations to the wording of this law. One of them, Sweden, probably had the interest of Spotify on its mind, while doing so. EPIC is not even a European company. The goals of this legislation are to strengthen consumer rights and the rights of hundreds if not thousands of app publishers that have issues with the way Apple and Google have monopolized the app economy and digital services.
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Alternative iOS App Stores Only Work for 'Grace Period' When Traveling Outside of EU
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I know it's not, hence the et. al. They're just the most vocal.
I suspect, in the end, we'll see little change and developers and users will have to face a more fragmented market; without seeing lower prices. Developers may even wind up paying the same or more to sell less and have to deal with the potential for more piracy.
I'm not anti-DMA; I just don't see it ushering a new era of karmic bliss for developers and consumers.
I don't think anyone has ever promised such a thing. I do think the new legislation has the potential to even the playing field considerably between "Gatekeepers" and app publishers. Maybe it will fall short after this first iteration. But laws can be improved, and there is precedent in other areas that this can work. Cross-border Euro payments are a good example. The EU is now working on the third iteration of the Payment Services Directive. Both previous laws have brought considerable improvements even for private users of inter-EU payment systems.
I don’t know if you’re being funny; hopefully you are. If not, I thinks that kind of thinking is beyond dangerous considering governments can, and have, forced not only companies, but its own people to do things against their will, sometimes with violent force. The more power you give them, the less likely it is that you’ll be able to vote for your next govt.Or I could buy an iPhone, vote for a government that has the guts to reign in Apple and make it do all the things I want on my iPhone. Don't you think it is more fun that way?
This is clearly a case of govt overeach and citizens should do everything they can to keep govt power in check.
Welcome to apple😂
With the release of iOS 17.4, iPhone users in the European Union can access third-party app stores, but Apple warns that EU users traveling outside of the bloc will only have a "grace period" before some features stop working altogether when they're away.
From Apple's support document detailing alternative app marketplaces:
We've contacted Apple for clarification on the duration of this "grace period" and are waiting to hear back.
Apple is allowing iPhone users in the EU access to alternative app stores in order to comply with the regulatory framework of the Digital Markets Act, which comes into effect for all 27 countries included in the bloc on March 7. The change means users can download apps from marketplaces outside of Apple's own App Store for the first time.
In iOS 17.4, EU users concerned with the potential privacy, safety, and security risks of alternative app marketplaces can set their preferred alternative app store as the default App Store on their device via Settings. A Screen Time setting also allows parents to decide whether their children's devices are able to install apps from alternative app marketplaces.
To gain access to alternative app marketplaces, the country or region of a user's Apple ID must be set to one of the countries or regions of the EU, and they must be physically located in the EU. Apple says device eligibility for access to alternative app marketplaces is determined by using on-device processing, with only an indicator of eligibility sent to Apple. To preserve user privacy, Apple does not collect a device's location.
The first alternative app marketplace will launch in the EU this week. German IT service provider Mobivention will launch its corporate-focused Mobivention App Marketplace on Thursday. MacPaw has also announced it will offer an alternative app marketplace sometime in April, while Epic Games also has plans to launch one.
For additional details about changes to the App Store and more in the EU, read our previous coverage. The changes do not apply outside of the EU, nor do they apply to iPadOS in any country.
Article Link: Alternative iOS App Stores Only Work for 'Grace Period' When Traveling Outside of EU
“Product pages on the App Store feature a section that provides developers' self‑reported summaries of some of their privacy practices in a simple, easy‑to‑read label. This shows how developers are collecting and using your data, including information like your location, browsing history, and contacts.”
from apples website.
The stated objectives of DMA is that it should end up promoting interoperability and free marketplace. Hence, there should be an interoperable chat (WhatsApp and Messenger come under this but somehow iMessage escaped), and Alternate App Stores on iOS, because Android already has them. Apple could have avoided this by being a little bit more open and caring a lot less about revenue. Changing to USB-C until pushed by legislation to protect its MFi licensing income, 30% cut in the App Store, ATT to favor its search business are just some examples. They will be torn down, hopefully.
Well I’d doesn’t matter if I stay out or not for more than 90 days, it’s still a stupid limitation.
BTW it’s 30 days
iOS Apps From Alternative Marketplaces Can Be Updated for 30 Days Outside of EU
Apple today clarified that iPhone users in the European Union can continue to update and use apps from alternative app marketplaces for a 30-day...
www.macrumors.com
So a company that does everything in the name of safety it will leave potential unsafe app unapdatable just because…
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Have you called Apple and your EU representatives and complained?Well I’d doesn’t matter if I stay out or not for more than 90 days, it’s still a stupid limitation.
BTW it’s 30 days
iOS Apps From Alternative Marketplaces Can Be Updated for 30 Days Outside of EU
Apple today clarified that iPhone users in the European Union can continue to update and use apps from alternative app marketplaces for a 30-day...
So a company that does everything in the name of safety it will leave potential unsafe app unapdatable just because…
Last edited:
Not EU,s fault, I def wrote to Apple but it’ll be useless.
I will be. I have skin in the game on this issue.
It's the EUs fault/success which gave you alternate app stores. If you want to have access to them after 30 days away from the EU then you need to tell your representative.
Of course, but Apple is never out of the EU's jurisdiction.
Keep in mind that the significant thing is not that some EU phone user is out of the EU, but that Apple is always in the EU and so the EU can enforce its laws on Apple.
It is not that Apple is evil it is just that no matter what you do you are always end up working for somebody who knows and understands more than you do.
While i get that, the challenge is they are also in many other countries, so by that logic if anonEU country requires them to collect and turn over data on EU residents they must comply as well. Extraterritorial enforcement is a challenge.
Only whilst in the EU. They cannot enforce Apple terms and conditions of the EU stores, for customers,res who are outside of the EU… probably…
I still enjoy the apple ecosystem. I am just considering making a change