Mark Zuckerberg, the founder and CEO of Meta, commented on Apple's approach towards building rival app stores in the European Union (EU), stating that Apple has made it challenging for others to establish such platforms. Apple argues that side-loading presents security risks, but the forthcoming EU Digital Markets Act (DMA) has compelled the tech giant to implement changes in its App Store for the region, including the introduction of new fees.
During Meta's fourth-quarter earnings call, Zuckerberg expressed skepticism about the impact of Apple's changes on Meta, noting, "I don't think that the Apple thing is going to have any difference for us. Because I think that the way they have implemented it, I would be very surprised if any developer chose to go into the alternative app stores that they have."
He further emphasized that Apple has made the process so challenging and at odds with the intent of the EU regulation that it would be difficult for any developer, including Meta, to seriously consider the alternative app stores introduced by Apple.
Notably, other tech leaders, including Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek, and Microsoft, have criticized Apple's App Store changes in the EU, viewing them as a step in the wrong direction.
The announced App Store changes ahead of the EU DMA in March will require developers using third-party app stores to pay 0.50 euro for each annual app install after 1 million downloads. Additionally, Apple will continue to charge a 17% commission from developers who opt to use third-party payment processors. The developments underscore the ongoing debates and concerns surrounding app store policies and competition in the tech industry.
(With Agency Inputs)
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