Latest News: Apple Revises App Store Link-Out Regulations per the EU DMA, however the fees remain high.
Apple has updated its App Store's rules in order to be more compatible with the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA) However, the fees that Apple has imposed as a result of its changes are still quite high as per an article from The Verge.
The Highlights are listed in six bullet points on the Apple News and Updates page, with readers invited to click through to an even more thorough description of the latest changes on their developer manual.
Some highlights are promoting "offers to purchase items at any location they choose," developers being able to "use an actionable link that can be clicked, tapped or scan, in order in order to direct users to where they want to go," and that "Updated business terms for apps with external Purchase Link Entitlement feature are currently being implemented to be in line with the changes to the capabilities."
They are expected to be in effects "this autumn" (no date for a more precise start date appears to have been set).
'Nearly Infinite 20 Percent Fee For Developers'
As per the article in The Verge, "Apple offers a nearly indefinite $20 percent developer fee in the most recent EU update" the updates appear to provide developers with more flexibility in linking to purchasing options that are not available through the App Store.
But the costs that come with this new feature are so high and restrictive that "it's difficult to imagine anyone using it."
It's because for developers who choose to join the StoreKit External Purchase Link Entitlement (EU) Addendum, the costs associated include a five percent initial acquisition fee plus the 20% Store Services charge that is applicable on "sales of digital goods and services, made using any platform within a set twelve-month time frame after the date of installation, which includes app updates and the reinstallation of apps."
The Verge points out that apps that are updated or reinstalled through the user resets the clock to the period of 12 months in the current store fees. There are a variety of other tools and programs that are able to lower costs, including adding support for third-party app stores, charging for the auto-renew of a qualifying subscription, and becoming a developer under Apple's small-business program. The ongoing charges of twelve months resetting at updates or reinstalls are what make them "endless."
A recent TechCrunch article titled "Apple changes DMA approval to allow App Store link-outs applying fewer restrictions and an entirely new fee structure" further clarifies some of the distinctions between Apple's different terms and related fees, both current and new. In particular it states that the "Store Service Fee" will be "a 10% commission or 5% discounted commission (e.g. developer commissions for those that are part of the App Store's small-business program) according to Apple's brand new business terms; or 20% standard, and the 7% discount offered under the terms of Apple's current agreements."
Details on fees for and both of the Alternate Terms Addendum to Apps in the EU and the StoreKit external Purchase Links Entitlement (EU) Addendum can be viewed on the Commissions section on this Apple help page.
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