EU Welcomes Apple's App Store Changes, Epic Slams 'Junk Fees'

[MacRumors]

Apple yesterday updated its App Store fees in the EU to comply with the Digital Markets Act and to put an end to its ongoing conflict with the European Commission. Apple cut the Core Technology Fee and simplified its pricing structure, so apps distributed through alternative marketplaces or through the web will pay less than before.

When announcing the changes, Apple said it worked in "close collaboration" with the EC, and that the updates would "resolve Apple's disagreements with the Commission over business terms and alternative distribution."

The European Commission has since confirmed that it approves of Apple's changes to its App Store policies, giving a statement to the Irish Independent:

The Commission welcomes Apple's changes to their business terms, which follow a close dialogue between the Commission and Apple after the Commission issued a non-compliance decision related to Apple's steering terms as well as preliminary findings related to alternative app distribution, both in April 2025.

Following today's announcement, the Commission will monitor Apple's effective implementation of the new terms. Under the DMA, users in the EU have a right to full and effective choice of alternative app distribution channels.

The EC says it will continue to monitor how Apple implements the new terms, which will go into effect on October 1.

While the EC approved Apple's planned changes, Apple legal opponent Epic Games was not happy with the new fee structure, denouncing the "new junk fees." Epic Games said Apple's new terms do not comply with the Digital Markets Act and claimed if the EC accepts the terms, the DMA "will become meaningless."

Apple announced new junk fees in the EU that do nothing to open up the mobile app ecosystem to competition, as required by Digital Market Act.

Apple will now charge:
• 20% fee on alternative in-app payment options
• 15% fee on links to make purchases outside apps
• 5% Core Technology Commission on payments made in apps downloaded from alternative stores or the web

The law makes it clear that Apple must allow developers to offer link outs to the web for purchases "free of charge" and has to allow "effective use" of competing stores. Apple's terms deliberately violate the Digital Markets Act. If the Commission accepts the terms and drops their ongoing enforcement actions, the law will become meaningless and consumers and developers will not experience the benefits it was designed to provide.

Under the new terms, Epic Games will need to pay a five percent Core Technology Commission on digital purchases made through its Epic Games Store on the iPhone and iPad in the EU. For an app distributed through the App Store with a link to purchase options, Epic would need to pay 15 percent.

Apple is implementing lower rates for Small Business Program, Video Partner Program, and Mini Apps Partner Program participants, plus it waives the Core Technology Commission for small marketplaces. Epic Games does not qualify for reduced fees.

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Article Link: EU Welcomes Apple's App Store Changes, Epic Slams 'Junk Fees'

 

[jz0309]

What else would Epic say? The real junk is them

 

[mittencuh]

Epic's constant whining is tiresome. Especially when you consider they would not have half the success they've had without iOS devices.

 

[jz0309]

Epic's constant whining is tiresome. Especially when you consider they would not have half the success they've had without iOS devices.

Well, they could sue the EU now ...

 

[Nyx1]

Epic is the lower why always obsession with app store why not focusing your engine game for not stuttering and more focus for your service epic store to fight steam store.

 

[firstcitazen]

so Tim Sweeney still isn't happy, but the EU folks worked with Apple and are signing off on it?

 

[Dj64Mk7]

Friendly reminder that this whole ordeal of Apple vs. Epic is 6 years old as of this month, and was started as a result of Epic knowingly and willingly violating the terms of their agreement.

 

[SF7]

Apple yesterday updated its App Store fees in the EU to comply with the Digital Markets Act and to put an end to its ongoing conflict with the European Commission. Apple cut the Core Technology Fee and simplified its pricing structure, so apps distributed through alternative marketplaces or through the web will pay less than before.

When announcing the changes, Apple said it worked in "close collaboration" with the EC, and that the updates would "resolve Apple's disagreements with the Commission over business terms and alternative distribution."

The European Commission has since confirmed that it approves of Apple's changes to its App Store policies, giving a statement to the Irish Independent:

The EC says it will continue to monitor how Apple implements the new terms, which will go into effect on October 1.

While the EC approved Apple's planned changes, Apple legal opponent Epic Games was not happy with the new fee structure, denouncing the "new junk fees." Epic Games said Apple's new terms do not comply with the Digital Markets Act and claimed if the EC accepts the terms, the DMA "will become meaningless."

Under the new terms, Epic Games will need to pay a five percent Core Technology Commission on digital purchases made through its Epic Games Store on the iPhone and iPad in the EU. For an app distributed through the App Store with a link to purchase options, Epic would need to pay 15 percent.

Apple is implementing lower rates for Small Business Program, Video Partner Program, and Mini Apps Partner Program participants, plus it waives the Core Technology Commission for small marketplaces. Epic Games does not qualify for reduced fees.

Article Link: EU Welcomes Apple's App Store Changes, Epic Slams 'Junk Fees'

Take that Epic and billionaire parasite and hypocrite Tim Sweeney.

 

[Starfia]

Epic Games said Apple's new terms do not comply with the Digital Markets Act and claimed if the EC accepts the terms, the DMA "will become meaningless."

Lovely to learn that Epic Games, not the European Commission, is the sole arbiter of compliance with the DMA. I can hardly wait until Tim Sweeney appoints himself king of Jupiter through Neptune.

 

[techfreak23]

Sore winners over here. The fact they got Apple forced to make ANY changes should be a W in their books. They should start saving the money they've been giving their lawyers... I'm sure it's just a drop in the bucket of their overall revenue, but still. If Apple worked with the EU on these new terms and were approved, I don't see them changing anymore in Epic's favor anytime soon.

 

[DelayedGratificationGene]

Epic Games was ordered to pay a record $245 million to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to settle allegations that

Fortnite

used deceptive design tricks ("dark patterns") and allowed children to rack up unauthorized in-game purchases without parental consent. [1]……this guy Tim Sweeney is no good.

 

[Entilzha]

Oh no, Epic is annoyed. Must be a day ending in y.

 

[Genelec8341]

The last time I gave a thought about games I was dropping quarter dollars into machines at the bowling alley in 1983.
Except Gran Turismo on PS1 PS2 PS3. I have recovered from that hopeless state. And I sucked at GT.

 

[EBone12355]

At some point people are going to lose interest in Fortnight and move on to another shiny thing.

 

[WiseAJ]

A junk company complains about “junk” fees how poetic

 

[MrSnirf]

It should be exactly 0%.

1. Apple isn't hosting those apps from the 3rd party stores
2. Apple isn't processing the payments made through alternate payment method

Core technology fee, i can understand that one if you are using Apple's software to develop your app. But that's a stretch because that would mean they should start charging those same fees for MacOS apps. That would also mean Microsoft can charge for any app you release for windows, etc etc. What next, linux foundation needs to start charging everyone fees because well, there is no service on the planet that does not use some sort of linux technology. Literally all of Apple's business runs on linux.

 

[turbineseaplane]

When announcing the changes, Apple said it worked in "close collaboration" with the EC, and that the updates would "resolve Apple's disagreements with the Commission over business terms and alternative distribution."

The European Commission has since confirmed that it approves of Apple's changes to its App Store policies, giving a statement to the Irish Independent:

Great ... Can we please move on from this now?

The topic is beyond tired.

 

[Haiku_Oezu]

This is so stupid, what developer is gonna bother going through this hassle for just 10% less commission?

The most egregious part is the 15% on external payments and the 5% fee on apps that are not even hosted by Apple

I’m surprised the EU accepted these terms, really goes to show they never cared about improving things for devs or users

I am happy to see Tim Sweeney seethe though, definitely the silver lighting on all this

Maybe we can finally move to the iPhone mirroring stuff now?