Apple allows outside payment links under EU pressure

Anabelle Colaco
29 Jun 2025, 16:24 GMT+10

Under pressure from European regulators, Apple has revamped its App Store policies in the EU, introducing new fee structures and loosening restrictions on external payments
These moves are designed to comply with the bloc’s Digital Markets Act and avoid a potential 500 million euro (US$570 million) fine
The tech giant announced this week that developers who continue to process purchases within the App Store will now pay a 20 percent commission, with a reduced 13 percent rate available under Apple’s small business programme

SAN FRANCISCO, California: Under pressure from European regulators, Apple has revamped its App Store policies in the EU, introducing new fee structures and loosening restrictions on external payments—moves designed to comply with the bloc's Digital Markets Act and avoid a potential 500 million euro (US$570 million) fine.

The tech giant announced this week that developers who continue to process purchases within the App Store will now pay a 20 percent commission, with a reduced 13 percent rate available under Apple's small business programme.

Crucially, Apple will now allow app developers to direct users to external payment platforms—a change the European Commission had mandated earlier this year to increase competition. For those choosing that route, Apple will charge a fee ranging from 5 percent to 15 percent of the transaction, depending on the developer's size and business model.

Developers will also be allowed to embed multiple outbound links in their apps to guide users to external sites or payment systems—something previously restricted under Apple's tightly controlled ecosystem.

"The European Commission is requiring Apple to make a series of additional changes to the App Store. We disagree with this outcome and plan to appeal," Apple said in a statement.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Los Angeles Herald.

More Information

null in null

International

Section

UN offer rejected in Dreamliner crash investigation

NEW DELHI, India: India has decided not to allow a United Nations (UN) investigator to join the investigation into the recent Air India...

UN climate agency gets 10 percent boost amid global budget cuts

BONN, Germany: Despite widespread belt-tightening across the United Nations, nearly 200 countries agreed this week to increase the...

Mexican President orders review of SpaceX environmental impact

MEXICO CITY, Mexico: Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said this week that her government is investigating possible environmental...

Historic ISS mission launches with crew from 4 different nations

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida: In a landmark flight for three nations and a veteran U.S. spacefarer, a four-member astronaut crew launched...

U.S. government sues Maryland court over pause in migrant deportations

WASHINGTON, D.C.: In a striking escalation of tensions between the executive and judicial branches, the Trump administration has filed...

Thailand-Cambodia tensions rise as border rules tighten

BANGKOK, Thailand: This week, Thailand implemented land border restrictions, including a ban on tourists traveling to Cambodia, as...

California

Section