Apple Limiting Alternative App Stores and Payments to EU Due to Malware, Fraud and Scam Risks

[erikkfi]

Guys, it has nothing to do with profit though. And honestly it's offensive that you would even suggest otherwise. This is basically an altruism play from Apple and here you are taking shots at them for it. You should be ashamed of yourselves.

 

[BeatCrazy]

There are no "malware, fraud, and scam risks" related to any of these issues. Unless Apple is saying here that macOS is also a globally insecure platform.

The difference is that macOS is not the main computing platform for 12-year olds. iOS however, is.

 

[mrochester]

If iOS security breaks down due to this, that really is just Apples fault and would indicate some serious security issues that they just didn't bother to fix. That *would* in fact imply iOS is rotten to the core.

Not to mention that Apple regularly has to kick out scams and other fraudulent apps from the App Store, so there is that too.

It’s quite clear that for some people, it’s always going to be Apple’s fault.

 

[DelayedGratificationGene]

Malware guys are loving the E.U. They offered a toast to our Savior Margrethe!

 

[eicca]

Again you’d have to be crazy to do anything outside the Walled Garden.

Call me insane then.

It’s a wonder my computer still has zero viruses or malware…

 

[iOS Geek]

EDIT: Apparently the comment I responded to was removed, so this response is irrelevant now.

 

[1284814]

A bird in a cage is safe, and if it has a good owner will never go hungry but soon enough it will cease to be What really made them a bird. The best you can do is open the cage inside a bigger cage ( your home ) for it to stretch it’s wings.
some of the tech users on this site have been living in a cage for so long that they forgot how to forge and take responsibility for their own techs.
all this hardball apple is playing can be remedied with a thrid party os. ( if they keep doing it. This is going to be the next goal post).
even with the new os update , I will keep my active devices only active on the AppStore until everything irons out and my old and side devices are going all in baby. I am very excited for this big European win. I hope they USA follow their initiative.
and soon I want them to go after apple for the right to repair.

 

[reyesmac]

I understand not making it a free for all, I understand for apps that generate revenue other than on the sale of the app, there should be a way to detect and remove bad actors. However, if this will turn into something that wont allow apps that emulate to not be available, then it's going too far. And I don't trust apple to do the cool thing, or even the right thing for its customers. They don't mind wrecking entire apps or economies or competitors products, but if the end user has too much control or it cant make money of its developers, stop the press.

 

[stefanovago]

I guess I will be able to finally install Fortnite on my iPhone again.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

Oh lock it down Apple, keep us safe from the world. Oh the horror !

 

[contacos]

I doubt an average user is even going to be aware this exists or have a use for it like no one I know even knows you can install 3rd party keyboards to this day or that you can change your default mail app

 

[supergt]

Apple excuse bag:

We are doing this : a) to protect our dear users b) for the children c) to save the environment d) because courage

Anytime I hear these things I know we the consumers are being screwed.

 

[votdfak]

The worst of all is that the EU won’t get blamed for the issues this will cause - instead, people will complain to Apple because they didn’t get a refund, can’t install an app, etc.

When there’s no skin in the game, this kind of things happen: the EU designs the phone but doesn’t take the hit for its errors. Best case scenario is that limitations make this DMA irrelevant.

What issues?

 

[Ries]

Malware guys are loving the E.U. They offered a toast to our Savior Margrethe!

Apple is cutting their commisions in the EU store and allowing linking to third party payment processors. Thanks EU for the savings. Enjoy paying full price in the US.

The alternative business terms for iOS apps in the EU have three primary elements:

• Reduced commission — iOS apps on the App Store will pay a reduced commission of either 10% (for the vast majority of developers, and for subscriptions after their first year) or 17% on transactions for digital goods and services, regardless of payment processing system selected;
• Payment processing fee — iOS apps on the App Store can use the App Store’s payment processing for an additional 3% fee. Developers can use a Payment Service Provider within their app or link users to a website to process payments for no additional fee from Apple;
• Core Technology Fee (CTF) — For very high volume iOS apps distributed from the App Store and/or an alternative app marketplace, developers will pay €0.50 for each first annual install per year over a 1 million threshold. Under the new business terms for EU apps, Apple estimates that less than 1% of developers would pay a Core Technology Fee on their EU apps.

 

[Xavier]

Is this how it also works on macOS with third party software?

 

[supergt]

Apple's reasons are valid but I think it's mostly for the money.

Just mostly huh?

 

[neuropsychguy]

I guess I will be able to finally install Fortnite on my iPhone again.

That's fine if you like playing with mouthy pre-teens. 😉

 

[robifaustmann]

In developer documentation outlining systemwide changes to the App Store in the European Union, Apple explains why alternative app stores, alternative payment options, and other updates are being limited to the EU.

Apple claims that these changes are introducing notable risks for users and developers, introducing "new avenues for malware, fraud and scams, illicit and harmful content, and other privacy and security threats."

Further, Apple says that the updates compromise its ability to "detect, prevent, and take action" against malicious apps, and also to support users impacted by issues with apps that are downloaded outside of the App Store.

"We're limiting these changes to the European Union because we're concerned about their impacts on the privacy and security of our users' experience - which remains our North Star," Apple writes.

To limit risk, Apple is requiring alternative app stores to undergo a notarization process that will check for malware and viruses, but Apple will not evaluate an app's content. Though notarization will add safeguards, Apple says there is risk involved with the alternate app store system.

Going forward, Apple plans to engage with the European Union, developer community, and EU users about the impacts of alternative app stores.

Outside of the EU, app developers must continue to use the App Store and in-app purchase system as usual.

Article Link: Apple Limiting Alternative App Stores and Payments to EU Due to Malware, Fraud and Scam Risks

I own AppStore.eu What should I do with it? I tried to contact Apple but I never got through. I’m thinking about making a website about alternative App Stores.

 

[mdnz]

Apple is cutting their commisions in the EU store and allowing linking to third party payment processors. Thanks EU for the savings. Enjoy paying full price in the US.

You have to be pretty naive to think that businesses are going to pass the cost savings to the customer.

 

[AlexESP]

The problem with this statement here is that none of that is based in reality and since every other platform has always worked this exact same way we know that this isn't the case. When Steam has issues, people don't complain to Microsoft they didn't get a refund, when an app installer fails on Android, people don't complain to Google that it doesn't work. This is just nonsense and you repeating talking points...

I wouldn’t even try to get a refund in that case, I don’t know what other users would do, but I think you’re assuming a lot with your comment. With the App Store, surprisingly (seriously), I’ve never had any issue.

But if refunds are hard to imagine, I think we can use the example of browser engines. If a user downloads a browser that starts consuming a lot more battery than before OF COURSE they will be going to complain to Apple.

 

[TigerNike23]

When the first major malware attack inevitably comes from one of these shady apps, I’ll sit back and laugh at the EU.

 

[iOS Geek]

Apple is cutting their commisions in the EU store and allowing linking to third party payment processors. Thanks EU for the savings. Enjoy paying full price in the US.

The alternative business terms for iOS apps in the EU have three primary elements:

• Reduced commission — iOS apps on the App Store will pay a reduced commission of either 10% (for the vast majority of developers, and for subscriptions after their first year) or 17% on transactions for digital goods and services, regardless of payment processing system selected;
• Payment processing fee — iOS apps on the App Store can use the App Store’s payment processing for an additional 3% fee. Developers can use a Payment Service Provider within their app or link users to a website to process payments for no additional fee from Apple;
• Core Technology Fee (CTF) — For very high volume iOS apps distributed from the App Store and/or an alternative app marketplace, developers will pay €0.50 for each first annual install per year over a 1 million threshold. Under the new business terms for EU apps, Apple estimates that less than 1% of developers would pay a Core Technology Fee on their EU apps.

You actually believe this is going to result in lower costs for the consumers? You'll be paying the full price just like the US will 😂 A business that wants to make money...isn't going to pass their savings on to you, the consumer.

 

[SanderEvers]

Come the heck on.

Linux is perfectly secure without a limited store.

Linux is perfectly secure because less than 1% of Desktops use Linux. Linux on servers get hacked all the time.

 

[erikkfi]

Malware guys are loving the E.U. They offered a toast to our Savior Margrethe!

Yeah, this is their biggest victory since they secured free and open installation of apps on personal computers back in 1981, which was a huge loss for consumers and one we've never truly recovered from.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

With the attitude that many of you have toward Apple, I have no idea why you even want to use their products? I mean, seriously, WHY? If I felt the way many of you seem to feel, I'd spend zero time with Apple and less than that on a site discussing Apple.

Because the company existed before iPhones, iPads and iOS and they adopted the attitude that the end user needs to be restricted to the terms Apple wants or can profit out of.