Apple has made an official announcement about this:
Apple announced changes to iOS, Safari, and the App Store impacting developers’ apps in the EU to comply with the DMA.
www.apple.com
It's a big article, so if you don't have time to read it, that's okay.
I've asked Copilot (using ChatGpt 4.0) to summarize instead:
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Apple has announced changes to iOS, Safari, and the App Store in the European Union (EU) to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA)¹². The changes include:
- More than 600 new APIs¹².
- Expanded app analytics¹².
- Functionality for alternative browser engines¹².
- Options for processing app payments and distributing iOS apps¹².
These changes aim to reduce privacy and security risks for EU users³. However, Apple acknowledges that the new options for processing payments and downloading apps on iOS open new avenues for malware, fraud and scams, illicit and harmful content, and other privacy and security threats¹². To mitigate these risks, Apple is introducing protections including Notarization for iOS apps, an authorization for marketplace developers, and disclosures on alternative payments¹².
Developers can learn about these changes on the Apple Developer Support page and can begin testing new capabilities today in the iOS 17.4 beta¹². The new capabilities will become available to users in the 27 EU countries beginning in March 2024¹².
Apple Fellow, Phil Schiller, stated that these changes comply with the DMA's requirements in the EU, while helping to protect EU users from the unavoidable increased privacy and security threats this regulation brings¹². He emphasized that Apple's priority remains creating the best, most secure possible experience for their users in the EU and around the world¹².
Developers now have access to new tools and terms available for alternative app distribution and alternative payment processing, new capabilities for alternative browser engines and contactless payments, and more¹². Importantly, developers can choose to remain on the same business terms in place today if they prefer¹².
In March, Apple will share new resources to help EU users understand the changes they can expect¹. This includes guidance to help EU users navigate complexities the DMA’s changes bring — including a less intuitive user experience — and best practices for approaching new risks associated with downloading apps and processing payments outside of the App Store¹.
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Here's the developer page about this:
developer.apple.com
It's a big article, so if you don't have time to read it, that's okay.
I've asked Copilot (using ChatGpt 4.0) to summarize instead:
------------------------------
Apple has announced changes to iOS, Safari, and the App Store to comply with the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA). These changes, which impact developers' apps in the EU, include:
1. **New options for app distribution**: Developers can now offer their iOS apps for download from alternative app marketplaces¹.
2. **Payment processing**: Developers have new options for processing app payments².
3. **Alternative browser engines**: Functionality for alternative browser engines has been expanded².
4. **App analytics**: Developers now have access to expanded app analytics¹.
5. **User data transfer**: Developers can now transfer App Store user data¹.
These changes are available for developers who distribute apps in any of the 27 EU member countries and only apply to apps available and distributed to users in the EU¹. Developers can get started with these options in the beta release of Xcode 15.3 and iOS 17.4¹. The changes will become available to users in the 27 EU member countries beginning in March 2024¹.
However, Apple warns that these changes introduce new risks, including new avenues for malware, fraud and scams, illicit and harmful content, and other privacy and security threats¹. To mitigate these risks, Apple is introducing protections, including Notarization for iOS apps, an authorization for marketplace developers, and disclosures on alternative payments¹. Despite these safeguards, many risks remain¹.
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My thoughts:
Over new 600 APIs? Jesus, it will take someone a week to understand all of the changes.