Have you ever wondered why a company as powerful as Apple would be at odds with an institution like the European Commission? The recent closure of Setapp, a third-party app store, has sparked an intense dispute. Discover the background of this story where technology and politics intertwine.
The 3 must-know facts
- Apple accuses the European Commission of political manipulation following the announced closure of Setapp.
- The Californian company wants to revise its business model for apps, but its proposals are blocked by Brussels.
- The European Commission reproaches Apple for not simplifying its complex commercial terms.
Context of Setapp’s closure
The tension between Apple and the European Commission has reached a new peak with the announcement of Setapp’s closure, a third-party app store. The service, developed by MacPaw, will cease its activities next month due to what it describes as “still unstable and overly complex commercial conditions.”
This tense climate is exacerbated by the application of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) for over two years, which requires Apple to allow the existence of alternative app stores on its devices within the European Union.
Apple’s accusations against Brussels
Apple has expressed its frustration with what it perceives as “delaying political tactics” by the European Commission. According to the company, Brussels is deliberately hindering its new pricing proposals. One of these proposals is to replace a 50-cent fee per installation with a 5% commission on revenue, a solution deemed more equitable by the company.
Apple claims to have submitted a compliance plan last October, which has remained unanswered by the Commission. This situation fuels tensions between the two entities as Brussels has already fined Apple $500 million for non-compliance with the DMA.
The European Commission’s position
For its part, the European Commission maintains that its exchanges with Apple are ongoing. It seeks to reach a solution that is fully compliant with the DMA. According to documents reviewed by Bloomberg, the Commission is preparing to accuse Apple of not simplifying its commercial terms deemed excessively complex.
Despite these tensions, other alternative stores continue to operate on Apple devices in Europe, such as the Epic Games Store and AltStore.
Apple and the European Union: a long-standing conflict
The frictions between Apple and the European Union are not new. Since the adoption of the Digital Markets Act, the relationship between the tech giant and European regulators is often marked by disagreements over antitrust issues and business practices. In seeking to ensure fair competition, the European Commission imposes strict rules to which Apple must comply, often leading to tensions. This latest episode with the closure of Setapp is just another example in this long series of confrontations.
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