Apple introduces new EU payment options with fees to comply with DMA

- Monday, August 12th, 2024
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Apple has announced it is revising its business terms in the EU to allow developers to link to external payment systems or promote offers from other platforms that do not utilise the built-in iOS payment system.
However, these options will only be available to developers who agree to the updated terms, and Apple will continue to take a percentage of each purchase.
In a post on its developer support website, Apple explained that it will charge a 5% ‘initial acquisition fee’ on any digital goods and services purchased during the first year after an initial installation.
This fee applies only to new users and will not affect customers already using the app before the new linking options become available.
Additionally, Apple will impose a 10% store services fee on all such purchases over the first twelve months, stating that this charge “reflects the ongoing services and capabilities that Apple provides developers.”
These fees are in addition to the previously announced Core Technology Fee, which charges developers €0.50 for each first install per year for the first one million installs.
These changes aim to better comply with the Digital Markets Act, which came into effect earlier this year.
The European Commission began investigating Apple in March to determine whether its new business terms violated the DMA.
However, its preliminary findings, released in June, indicate that Apple is in breach of the new regulations.