Apple has revealed that developers located within the European Union will soon be allowed to distribute apps to users directly from their websites, as part of a plan to comply with Law on Digital Markets (DMA) rules that went into effect last week.
The European Union’s DMA rules require Apple to allow developers to create third-party app stores, ending the Apple App Store’s position as the sole distributor of iPhone apps.
The new rules also allow app developers to bill their customers directly. Bloomberg reported that Apple has charged developers a commission of up to 30 percent since the launch of the App Store in 2008.
Apple announced on its website yesterday that it is “providing more flexibility to developers distributing apps in the European Union, including introducing a new way to distribute apps directly from the developer’s website.”
With a software update that will be available over the next few months, the tech giant said it will give authorized developers access to APIs that “make it easier to distribute their apps from the web, integrate with system functions, back up and restore user apps, and more.” .
Developers can also set up app marketplaces that include catalogs of their own apps, according to Apple.
In addition, they can choose how to design their own promotions, discounts and other offers when directing users to complete a transaction for digital goods or services on external websites, rather than using templates designed by Apple.
Earlier this month, the European Commission fined Apple €1.8 billion for alleged anti-competitive behavior related to the music streaming app market ahead of DMA rules coming into effect on March 6.