Apple: EU may require alternative iPhone app shops

Google Play Store on the iPhone? What has been unthinkable for years may become a reality in the future – at least if the EU gets its way. The Digital Markets Act came into force in early November. New laws regulating tech companies require some adjustments from US tech giants such as Apple. One of the changes could affect app shops.

“Significant implications” from the EU

“Everyone who has an iPhone should be able to download apps not only from the Apple App Store, but also from other app marketplaces,” explained Gerrit Gerard de Graaf, head of the EU office in San Francisco. In a way, his job is to explain and show American companies what needs to change due to the new regulation. Indirectly, companies could also be “forced”, de Graaf says of “significant consequences” if the changes were not implemented.

The Digital Markets Act aims to make app platforms more open and, above all, interoperable. Users should not only be “locked in” to a shop, but should also be free to decide from which source they get their apps. Smaller shops should also be supported.

Apple fears malware

Naturally, this regulation is met with only limited approval from Apple. The iPhone maker fears problems with malware and repeatedly refers to Android in this context. Of course, there could also be a loss of revenue, as Apple makes money from every transaction in the shop.

There are no other details about the new law. At present, the EU seems to be “classifying” American companies. The so-called “gatekeepers” – apart from Apple, Google and Amazon are certainly also among them – have to adapt to the stricter rules. It is still unclear how specifically the EU will push for the “opening up” of app shops, but for the moment it seems that the EU is serious.