Apple Developer Program: Access denied despite payment +++ New rules for EU app stores are delayed | News

Anyone who offers apps for the iPhone or programs for Macs is dependent on Apple’s notarization – with it new program versions are certified and can therefore run on Apple platforms. Even those who do without Apple’s app stores need this service to allow users to install without any hurdles. The prerequisite: a paid membership in the Apple Developer Program. Apple wants $99 for it, payable by credit card. Some developers were now astonished to find that the contribution had been debited, but their access to the notarization system remained inactive.

Apple’s developer forum is currently dominated by complaints about denied access to the Apple Developer Program. Users report that a payment was debited from them, but access to the developer program remained blocked. For some, the portal showed a “payment problem”; others received an “Unknown Error” when attempting to log in. For some, the last payment was months in the past, but Apple suddenly and unexpectedly locked out the developers. Access to the Developer Program is a core requirement in order to provide updates and appear in the Group’s app stores.

Core Technology Commission: Apple lets its own deadline pass
After the EU Commission assessed Apple’s app marketplace rules as irregular and imposed a 500 million fine, Apple announced a new, two-tier payment model. Part of this was that the “Core Technology Fee” of 50 cents per download per year disappears. A percentage-based “Core Technology Commission” (CTC) should take its place from January 1, 2026. Twenty days after the deadline, the change has not yet taken place.

No public comment from Apple
Developer Steve Troughton-Smith noticed this. In a toot he expressed his surprise. Riley Testut, provider of AltStore PAL, one of the first alternative app marketplaces in the EU, responded. To his knowledge, Apple is still discussing details with the EU Commission. This has the bizarre side effect that the new CTC has already come into force in Japan, but EU app stores continue to use the CTF.