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| News about Apple willingness to allow third-party app stores on the iPhone |
According to a Bloomberg report published today, Apple plans to allow users to install an alternative App Store for iPhone smartphones on iOS.
If the reports are correct, the change would be a notable one for the company, which is notorious for not allowing iPhone smartphone and iPad tablet users to download apps only through the App Store.
According to a press release, the report said the decision was based on the EU's Digital Markets Act, which aims to create "digital control rules to ensure open markets" from 2024, when restrictions become necessary. .
The law means that Apple must not only allow third-party app stores, but also sideloading, which allows users to install apps downloaded from the Internet.
In response to the ruling, Apple executives previously described the ability to download software as "a cybercriminal's best friend".
The EU has a relatively complex timeline for complying with the law, which requires potentially affected companies to notify regulators so the Commission can determine if they really need to make changes.
However, the European Union said in its press release that the deadline by which technology companies must comply with the law is March 6, 2024.
According to Bloomberg, Apple has yet to take the lead as it could consider "imposing certain security requirements" to screen third-party apps in one way or another, possibly charging a fee.
The report also says that Apple has not yet decided whether to allow developers to install third-party payment systems in apps, which it must do under the Digital Markets Act. Nor did it rule on how to make iMessages interoperable with other services, which is another requirement of the Digital Markets Act.
It is noteworthy that Apple is currently working on another notable change stimulated by European Union regulations, as the company has confirmed that it cannot circumvent European Union rules that require adding a USB-C port to iPhones by 2024.