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Apple is changing its EU App Store policy in a last-minute attempt to avoid a series of escalating fines from Brussels.
The $30 iPhone maker will allow BLOC developers to offer apps designed for the iOS operating system outside of Apple’s App Store, the company said.
Apple has been negotiating with the European Commission for two months after being fined 500 million euros for violating the EU’s digital market law, a landmark law designed to reduce the power of major technology groups.
Throughout the process, Apple has accused the committee of moving goal posts about what the company needs to do to comply with the EU’s digital rulebook.
Apple announced the measures on Thursday. This is the deadline for companies to comply with block rules to avoid new taxation. Financial penalties can escalate over time, reaching up to 5% of the average daily world revenue.
Still, an Apple spokesperson said, “The European Commission is asking Apple to make a series of additional changes to the App Store. We have plans to disagree with the outcome and appeal.”
In response to the changes, a European Commission spokesperson said, “The Commission will now evaluate these new business conditions for DMA compliance.”
The spokesperson added: “We believe the committee is particularly important to gain the views of market operators and interested third parties before deciding on the next step.”
The decision on new fines under the Digital Markets Act is close to the July 9 deadline for Brussels and Washington to agree to a trade agreement.
The EU rules regarding Big Tech are the flash point between Brussels and US President Donald Trump. However, committee leaders have shown that they will not change their rules book as part of trade negotiations with the United States.
