Apple’s approach to developers and their support doesn’t necessarily have the best reputation. Many offers that are aimed at those who use software to bring the platform to life are often implemented quite carelessly or poorly/not documented – which unfortunately also increasingly applies to new frameworks. There are also repeated complaints about arbitrary rejection of apps from third-party providers who operate services that compete with Apple. In addition, there is the de facto monopoly of the sales platform, because payment methods outside the store or alternative sales channels exist in theory given the extremely complicated rules. In Great Britain, the competition authority took up exactly these and other complaints. Apple makes a commitment to more fairness
If Apple makes a public statement that does not just consist of a complete rejection of any allegations, it obviously considers the situation to be critical. The CMA (“Competition and Markets Authority”) was therefore presented with four promises. Corresponding measures must be implemented by April 1st, although no concrete information is circulating about this:
App review
Apps should be reviewed fairly, objectively and transparently – without discriminating against offers that compete with Apple apps and without giving preference to your own apps.
App ranking
Placement in store lists and search results should also be fair, objective and transparent, also without special treatment for Apple apps. However, this is a point for which Apple has hardly been criticized.
Data Usage
Data that Apple (and Google) receives from developers as part of app review should be protected and not used unfairly for Apple’s own advantage. There was often criticism that Apple, as a developer, was paying for market research.
Interoperability
Developers should be able to easily request access to specific system functions and interfaces; Apple promises to examine such interoperability requests “fairly and objectively” in order to give innovative services more planning security. Apple is known for cutting interfaces because of alleged security concerns, but this is widely seen as a lever against competing products.
CMA wants to see how fair it really becomes
The CMA says it is keeping a close eye on further progress and feedback from developers. If further legal violations are identified and the “voluntary obligations” are not satisfied, fines running into billions of euros would be conceivable. At the same time, concrete interventions in business processes are likely to follow in order to change the market structure. It represents a high risk for Apple not to behave cooperatively – even though its previous tactic has always been to risk a lot to maintain denounced business models. It should be noted that the concessions apply only to the UK as “local mitigation” and not worldwide. However, as in most similar disputes, precedents were created that other competition authorities are sure to follow.
