A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE
Alternative App Stores Are a Hornets Nest for Apple, Developers, and You
There is much more to this than you might think
Apple has been forced to allow alternative app stores in Europe for all of its apps. This has been welcomed by some and seen as dangerous by others. I will discuss both of those views, but there is more to it than that.
What is happening?
This only applies in Europe presently. If you live elsewhere, you will still only be able to download non-Mac Apple apps from Apple’s App Store.
However, I imagine that other countries will pass similiar laws sooner or later.
Why is it happening?
The European Union thinks that Apple’s tight control of apps violates their Digital Markets Act (DMA) law which went unti effect in November of 2022​. This law is intended to create fairness for app developers and users of devices from all major tech companies.
Why do some developers welcome this change?
Larger developers feel that Apple’s fees for distributing through the App Store are too high. Others may find the review process burdensomne. Apple also will not allow…
