The DMA gives power back to developers by reducing their reliance on Apple’s and Google’s app stores. Developers can now directly inform users about better offers outside of app stores. They can also distribute their apps via alternative app stores or directly from the web. Consumers benefit too, as they can now be informed within the apps about better and cheaper offers and be redirected to them.
What are the benefits for me as a business?
- For the first time, developers can offer alternative app stores on iPhones and iPads to contest Apple’s App Store. App Store is no longer the single app distribution channel within Apple’s ecosystem.
- Developers can opt out from app stores services they do not need for distributing their apps via Apple’s and Google’s app stores.
- As they move away from the gatekeepers’ services, developers pay lower fees.
- Developers can also distribute their apps, including app stores, from their own websites (“web distribution”).
- Thanks to the DMA, developers are now free to steer their users to alternative ways to purchase digital content, both inside and outside the app.
- Developers can now distribute retro game emulators on iPhones and iPads.
What are the DMA rules for Apple’s and Google’s respective app stores?
On 6 September 2023, the Commission designated Apple and Alphabet as Gatekeepers for their respective app stores: Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store.
The DMA rules include, among others, the obligation to effectively allow the distribution of apps on their devices through third party app stores or the web (Article 6(4) DMA). They also include provisions related to app stores, such as the obligation for gatekeepers to allow app developers to steer users and communicate with them about alternative channels for purchasing digital content outside the app (Article 5(4) DMA). Digital content purchased outside of the app should then be accessible for consumption in the app (Article 5(5) DMA).
Moreover, Apple and Google are not allowed to impose the use of their in-app purchase systems on developers (Article 5(7) DMA) and should apply fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory general conditions of access for business users to their app stores (Article 6(12) DMA).
Useful links
On the DMA website, you can find the Compliance reports where Apple and Google set out how they are complying with DMA obligations relating to app stores. The Commission is carefully assessing compliance by Apple and Google, as well as any attempt of circumvention, with the DMA, and will take appropriate enforcement action where necessary. Detailed feedback from businesses will be valuable input for this assessment.
To contact the DMA Team as a business, please submit your request here. We will treat your submission as market information, and we will take it into account in our ongoing monitoring activity.