{
  "id": 1752632,
  "title": "Apple overhauls App Store fees in the EU with new unified terms",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/apple-overhauls-app-store-fees-in-the-eu-with-new-unified-terms",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-18T16:35:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "9to5Mac",
    "slug": "9to5mac",
    "url": "https://9to5mac.com/2026/08/18/apple-overhauls-app-store-fees-in-the-eu-with-new-unified-terms/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Apple has revised its App Store commission structure for developers in the European Union, introducing a more simplified fee system. The changes, effective from October 1, include reducing the link-out commission to 15% and replacing the controversial Core Technology Fee with a 5% Core Technology Commission. Apple eliminated the initial acquisition fee and store services fee under the new model, which applies to digital goods and services sales within apps. The commission rates vary based on the payment method used, with 26% for Apple In-App Purchase, 15% for the majority of developers, and 10% for those in specific programs. Apps distributed through alternative marketplaces or the web will incur a 5% Core Technology Commission. The updates also introduce new child safety protections, requiring parental gates for purchases under 18 and restricting web links for users under 13. To maintain the new terms, developers must meet specific financial stability criteria, including a Dun & Bradstreet score, public trading status, and financial audits. Apple emphasizes the importance of ongoing oversight for apps distributed via alternative channels, requiring them to go through its Notarization process.",
  "summary": "After announcing changes to App Tracking Transparency in Europe, Apple has now unveiled a simplified App Store commission structure for developers in the region. Here are the details.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Techmeme",
        "title": "Meta ran ads for a nudify app featuring a porn video with a deepfake closely resembling a prominent US politician; Apple removed the app from the App Store (Wired)",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/meta-ran-ads-for-a-nudify-app-featuring-a-porn-video-with-a-deepfake",
        "published": "2026-08-18T15:20:01.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Techmeme",
        "title": "Apple unveils new EU business terms from October 1, resolving disputes with the EU, including a new Core Technology Commission and App Store commission tiers (Apple)",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/apple-unveils-new-eu-business-terms-from-october-1-resolving-disputes",
        "published": "2026-08-18T16:10:01.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Verge",
        "title": "Apple squashes EU beef with new App Store rules",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/apple-squashes-eu-beef-with-new-app-store-rules",
        "published": "2026-08-18T16:48:26.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "TechCrunch",
        "title": "Apple overhauls its EU App Store fees, loosens rules for alternative app stores",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/apple-overhauls-its-eu-app-store-fees-loosens-rules-for-alternative",
        "published": "2026-08-18T17:12:13.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CNBC Technology",
        "title": "Apple overhauls Europe app store fees to resolve payments clash",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/apple-overhauls-europe-app-store-fees-to-resolve-payments-clash",
        "published": "2026-08-18T17:16:49.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}