This is the latest change based on legal challenges under the Digital Markets Act.
Apple presented its new commercial conditions for applications that will be distributed in the European Union. The new policies, which take effect on October 1, will see the company’s highly controversial base technology fee replaced with a new base technology fee that will be applied to in-app purchases.
There are several different permutations of commission rates depending on how the app accepts a transaction. Developers who participate in the App Store Small Business Program, Mini Apps Partner Program, and Video Partner Program will be offered discounted pricing in each branch of the terms. “The majority of developers” using Apple In-App Purchase technology on apps distributed on the App Store will be charged a 15% fee, the company wrote. For developers outside of these programs, the commission will be 26%.
App Store apps that use alternative tools for processing payments will be charged a 20% fee, while for App Store apps that link to the app to make purchases, the fee will be 15%. Program members using either of these routes will enjoy 10 percent commission rates. All apps distributed outside of the Apple App Store will receive a flat 5% commission.
Apple has been embroiled in convoluted, years-long legal battles over how it will comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). More recently, the company suffered a loss in its fight to avoid more closely monitored “gatekeeper” status under the DMA. He could also face court on country-specific charges relating to potentially anti-competitive practices, most recently in Germany. In the United States, there has been some movement toward easing restrictions on sideloading and alternative payment systems. Apple is also seeking support from US courts to accept a 5 to 15 percent reduction for third-party payment transactions.
