Apple has made significant concessions!
In order to comply with EU digital competition laws, Apple announced on Thursday that it will make adjustments to iOS and iPadOS by the end of this year, allowing EU iPhone users to delete local applications, including the App Store and Safari, and making third-party tools more accessible.
Apple stated that a software update later this year will allow iPhone and iPad users to remove the company's pre installed applications, including Safari Web Browser, App Store, as well as Photos, Camera, and Messages apps, with only Settings and Phone not removable.
In addition, Apple will simplify the default settings for third-party applications such as browsers and contactless payment methods. Next spring, it will also allow users to set default navigation, translation apps, and spam phone filtering apps.
These updates come from our ongoing dialogue with the European Commission regarding compliance with the requirements of the Digital Markets Act in these areas, "the company wrote in its latest statement.
Apple has stated that it plans to create a dedicated space on the iPhone for users to change default applications.
The EU's Digital Markets Act takes effect, blocking Apple's progress
According to securities firms in China, on March 7th of this year, the EU's Digital Markets Act officially came into effect. This is considered a major turning point in regulating large tech companies, forcing Apple to open up its closed ecosystem.
On March 12th, Apple released a policy update that will allow EU users to download iPhone applications from developer websites for the first time. Developers can also offer their applications on third-party "alternative app marketplaces" without going through the App Store, and can directly provide promotional activities to users in any way.
This is a significant reversal for Apple. For many years, Apple has been opposed to sideloading (i.e. installing applications outside of the official app store), citing security concerns and Apple's right to determine its user experience.
According to CCTV News, on March 4th, European Commission Executive Vice President and Competition Commissioner Vestager announced on social media that the EU had fined Apple 1.84 billion euros on the same day, citing Apple's monopolistic behavior in the streaming music business.
Vestager said that Apple has "abused" the dominant position of the Apple Store in streaming music software releases for the past 10 years, preventing streaming music software vendors from informing consumers that there are "other cheaper" paid music services outside the Apple ecosystem, thereby violating EU antitrust regulations.
Apple disagrees with this penalty decision and has stated that it will appeal. Apple stated that the European Commission "has not found reliable evidence of consumer harm, ignoring the competitive and rapidly developing reality of this thriving market.
China has already standardized software pre installation behavior
On November 30, 2022, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the State Internet Information Office jointly issued the Notice on Further Regulating the Preset Behavior of Mobile Intelligent Terminal Application Software (hereinafter referred to as the Notice).
According to the interpretation of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the "Notice" proposes the principles of "compliance with laws and regulations, user first, security and convenience, and minimum necessity" for the pre installation of mobile intelligent terminals, clarifying that "whoever pre installs is responsible" and protecting users' rights to know and choose.
The second is to clarify the definition of pre installed apps and make specific and detailed regulations on whether pre installed apps on mobile intelligent terminals can be uninstalled. That is, non uninstalled apps should be limited to a few basic functional software such as system settings, multimedia recording, making and receiving calls, and app stores.
The third requirement is for production enterprises to enhance the security of terminal products and avoid illegal "flashing" and installing apps in sales channels. Further clarify the full chain management responsibilities of production enterprises for the registration, review, monitoring, retention, and removal of pre installed apps.
Fourth, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, together with the State Internet Information Office, strengthened the supervision, inspection and handling of violations of the preset APP.
This article integrates Caixin News Agency, Securities China, CCTV News, and Industrial and Information Technology WeChat News