Apple to allow third-party app stores in Europe for 1st time

ISTANBUL

US-based global tech major Apple has said it will allow third-party app stores in Europe for the first time in the company's history.

The move will open up the firm's iPhone and iPad App Store in Europe to competitors, a major shift away from the company's long policy of controlling application distribution on its devices.

"For developers, the changes include new options for app distribution and payment processing," Apple said Thursday in a statement. "For users, the changes include new controls and disclosures, and expanded protections to reduce privacy and security risks the DMA creates."

The decision is a result of complying with the European Union's (EU) Digital Markets Act, which went into force in November 2022 to ensure higher and fairer competition in Europe, aiming to prevent large firms from abusing market power and allowing new companies to enter the digital industry.

Apple said changes also include more than 600 new application programming interfaces, expanded app analytics, functionality for alternative browser engines, and options for processing app payments and distributing iOS apps.

The changes, however, also create potential risks for users about options for processing payments and downloading apps on iOS that could lead to malware, fraud and scams, illicit and harmful content, and other privacy and security threats, Apple warned.

It said the new capabilities will become available to users in the 27 EU countries beginning in March this year.