Apple’s new EU App Store terms still breach the DMA, says European developer coalition
Apple’s revised EU App Store terms continue to violate the Digital Markets Act, according to a coalition of 18 organizations including the Coalition for App Fairness and the European Games Developer Federation. The groups issued an open letter criticizing Apple’s new business terms announced on August 18.
The central issue concerns Apple’s 15% commission on payments directed outside the App Store. The DMA’s Article 5(4) explicitly requires that steering users to alternative payment methods must be free of charge. The EU Commission previously fined Apple €550 million for similar violations, making this continued fee structure a significant compliance concern.
The open letter was signed by major stakeholders in the gaming and app industries. Coalition for App Fairness members include Epic Games, Match Group, and Spotify. The European Games Developer Federation represents 27 national games trade bodies and approximately 2,500 European game developers, lending substantial industry backing to the complaint.
The dispute highlights ongoing tension between Apple and European regulators over App Store policies and DMA compliance. Apple’s attempt to revise its terms appears insufficient to address developer concerns about fair access to alternative payment mechanisms. The continued insistence on charging for steering suggests Apple may face additional regulatory scrutiny or fines if it does not bring its practices into full compliance with EU requirements.