Apple, Google Commit to Fairer App Store Practices in UK

[MacRumors]

Apple and Google have agreed to a series of changes aimed at making their app stores fairer for developers, the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced today.

The concrete commitments come after the CMA found the two companies had a duopoly and designated them as having "strategic market status" in mobile platforms last October. The designation is not a finding of wrongdoing, but gives UK regulators new powers to demand specific changes to boost competition in the mobile market.

Under the agreed terms published by the CMA, both companies will ensure apps are reviewed and ranked on their app stores in a "fair, objective and transparent way," without discrimination against apps that compete with their own services. They also commit to safeguarding developer data collected during the app review process.

There are also requirements of Apple around the issue of interoperability. Apple must allow developers to more easily request access to iOS features and functionality, which could clear the way for third-party apps to better compete with Apple's own services.

"The commitments announced today allow Apple to continue advancing important privacy and security innovations for users and great opportunities for developers," Apple said in a statement given to Bloomberg.

The changes are set to take effect on April 1, pending a public consultation period that runs through March 3.

The CMA says it will closely monitor implementation and won't hesitate to impose formal requirements if the companies fail to follow through. Further measures are expected in the coming months that could include potential changes to how Apple's digital Wallet app operates.

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Article Link: Apple, Google Commit to Fairer App Store Practices in UK

 

[indiekiduk]

I still don't think they'll let us do Wi-Fi scanning.

 

[surferfb]

Sounds like the UK got Apple to agree to do what it’s already doing. 🤣

But in all seriousness, I see no issues with this - seems reasonable and doesn’t require third party stores.

 

[SAIRUS]

But outside the UK...devs can shoulder the responsibility of knowing different country guidelines?

 

[I7guy]

So Apple and Google must not give preferential treatment to their own apps? Seems fair. And both companies must open up their proprietary apis?

 

[nt5672]

Too bad those of us in the good old USA are 2nd class now. It seems like the only way for U.S. customers to get fairness out of Apple is though the government. Good to know.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

There are also requirements of Apple around the issue of interoperability. Apple must allow developers to more easily request access to iOS features and functionality, which could clear the way for third-party apps to better compete with Apple's own services.

Notably it doesn't say Apple has to allow it. 🙄

 

[kevcube]

a big nothingburger it seems. apple and google were happy to sign off on this one and get the regulators off their back.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

The UK has DEMANDED that the companies collude? 🙂

 

[Unregistered 4U]

What to do if, legally, companies are doing nothing wrong, but the government wants to do something? Well, the government can just define “how they do business” as illegal! 😀

 

[iPadified]

But outside the UK...devs can shoulder the responsibility of knowing different country guidelines?

Of course. Different rules in different part of the world. Drawback off doing global business. Look at food and medicine branches and you will have similar headache of counter/regional differences.

 

[User 6502]

Sounds like the UK got Apple to agree to do what it’s already doing. 🤣

But in all seriousness, I see no issues with this - seems reasonable and doesn’t require third party stores.

Apple is not doing any of these things. And third party stores are inevitable in the UK and elsewhere.

 

[surferfb]

Apple is not doing any of these things. And third party stores are inevitable in the UK and elsewhere.

Disagree. I think it's pretty clear that apps on the App Store are already ranked and reviewed in a "fair, objective and transparent way."

Third party stores may be inevitable, but they shouldn't be. Users who prefer the "one App Store model" ought have an option for one - it's safer and more secure for the vast majority of consumers.

 

[I7guy]

Too bad those of us in the good old USA are 2nd class now. It seems like the only way for U.S. customers to get fairness out of Apple is though the government. Good to know.

Or use phones supporting android software.

 

[The_Gream]

So much of this is subjective depending on the party.

As noted by some, just cause Apple has to make it easier for a developer to request access to private/restricted API doesn’t mean Apple has to allow it.

Not every App needs access to 100% of a phone’s functionality.

 

[VulchR]

Honestly as a UK resident I would have wanted Apple to be held liable for its app review process. I have no issues with the walled garden, because in theory it is more secure, but I want guarantees about that security.

 

[tomtad]

Too bad those of us in the good old USA are 2nd class now. It seems like the only way for U.S. customers to get fairness out of Apple is though the government. Good to know.

You give gold gifts to the leader

 

[User 6502]

Disagree. I think it's pretty clear that apps on the App Store are already ranked and reviewed in a "fair, objective and transparent way."

Third party stores may be inevitable, but they shouldn't be. Users who prefer the "one App Store model" ought have an option for one - it's safer and more secure for the vast majority of consumers.

Nobody is arguing people shouldn't be able to choose to continue using the App Store if they wish to do so. Equally they should be able to download their apps from elsewhere if that's their preference. As per apple being "fair, objective and transparent" there are countless examples of apps that were removed for no apparent reason, or because they were duplicating (often improving it) some native app. Another unfair practice is to prevent the use of certain native APIs and allowing only Apple's apps to use them.

 

[jimbobb24]

Strongly object to headline. There is not objective FAIRNESS here. They were fair. Apple and Google are just changing to more favorable terms for developers because the UK thinks that is right for reasons no one but they know.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Sounds like the UK got Apple to agree to do what it’s already doing. 🤣

But in all seriousness, I see no issues with this - seems reasonable and doesn’t require third party stores.

Yeah, finally looked at the list and… I guess this is what you have to do as a company dealing with a performative government.

Apple: “We promise that, due to the CMA, we will continue to do the things we’ve been doing.”
Gov’t: “See? We made them do the thing they’re already doing!”

And, as we’ve seen, every region that wants to say they’re doing something about third party stores at the same time want to ensure that their developer’s ability to make the huge profit they’re making (compared to Android) on the App Store isn’t cratered by someone deploying a store that’s not controlled by Apple and making pirating easy. As Apple will ALWAYS be holding the reins, there only be tiny stores with tiny apps that a tiny part of the population will use.

And, they’ll all ignore that what would REALLY change things would be to introduce a competing hardware platform.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Too bad those of us in the good old USA are 2nd class now. It seems like the only way for U.S. customers to get fairness out of Apple is though the government. Good to know.

I don’t think you looked at the “changes” that they’re saying have been made. Search for “presentation” on the App Store and you’ll see, today, as it has been for awhile, that Keynote doesn’t show first. That wasn’t because of the CMA, but, just like the EU and USB-C, they’re requiring what’s already being done. 🙂

 

[CATiNTHESTORE]

What you transferred or sent yourself to any AI chat is the property of the company forever

 

[Unregistered 4U]

So much of this is subjective depending on the party.

As noted by some, just cause Apple has to make it easier for a developer to request access to private/restricted API doesn’t mean Apple has to allow it.

Not every App needs access to 100% of a phone’s functionality.

And, what’s 100% guaranteed is that developers will misuse any resources provided, especially if those resources provide novel ways of tracking users.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Nobody is arguing people shouldn't be able to choose to continue using the App Store if they wish to do so. Equally they should be able to download their apps from elsewhere if that's their preference. As per apple being "fair, objective and transparent" there are countless examples of apps that were removed for no apparent reason, or because they were duplicating (often improving it) some native app. Another unfair practice is to prevent the use of certain native APIs and allowing only Apple's apps to use them.

Apps removed for “no apparent reason” (meaning the internet wasn’t duly informed. 🙂) were still removed for a reason. The developer MAY or may NOT want to let folks outside the company know, but that’s a communication between the company and Apple. And, it’s usually because a developer that promised to adhere to the TOS decided not to adhere to the TOS anymore and may be why many developers don’t want that to be public.

What there are NOT “countless examples of” are apps that were adhering to the TOS that were removed without violating some other law/rule/process in effect within that region.

 

[The_Gream]

And, what’s 100% guaranteed is that developers will misuse any resources provided, especially if those resources provide novel ways of tracking users.

100% agree. Not every developer is a bad actor, but it just takes one. Look how many fake crypto apps out there have stolen peoples money. Something Apple can’t protect against is people’s own ignorance.