Under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), from March 7 Apple will have to offer alternative app stores on iPhones and allow developers to opt out of its in-app payment system, which charges fees of up to 30%.
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The US tech giant, which on January 24 detailed changes to bring its App Store into line with EU rules, said “sideloading” – installing apps on a mobile device without using its dedicated app store – had also raised concerns from the EU and government agencies and users outside the EU.
Allowing the practice is one of the reforms that some lawmakers hope will help open up the market for apps.
“These agencies — especially those that serve essential functions such as defense, banking and emergency services — have contacted us about these new changes,” Apple said in the guidance.
It said the agencies wanted assurances that they would be able to prevent government employees from sideloading apps onto government-purchased iPhones, and several said they planned to block sideloading on every device they operate.
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“One EU government agency has informed us that it does not have the resources or staff to review and approve apps for its devices, so it plans to continue to rely on Apple and the App Store because it trusts us to comprehensively vet apps,” Apple said. The company did not provide details on the number of agencies involved and the countries in which they are located.
Companies such as Fortnite creator Epic Games and Spotify Technology have argued for years that Apple’s commissions and restrictions are hindering their business.