{
  "id": 1821670,
  "title": "EU ‘welcomes’ Apple steps to comply with digital rules",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/eu-welcomes-apple-steps-to-comply-with-digital-rules-1821670",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-18T22:31:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/business/2026/08/19/eu-welcomes-apple-steps-to-comply-with-digital-rules"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The European Commission has welcomed Apple's recent adjustments to its rules for app developers, addressing allegations of breaching the bloc's competition regulations and potentially avoiding additional fines. In April 2025, the EU had imposed a €500 million (US$586 million) penalty on Apple for preventing developers from directing customers outside its App Store to access cheaper deals. The Commission announced on Tuesday that Apple has agreed to offer revised terms to developers for both iPhone and iPad, enabling them to select between the App Store, third-party app stores, or web as distribution channels. The EU executive expressed satisfaction with Apple's modifications, stating the company will implement the new terms in the European Union from October 2026. Apple's statement disclosed that the changes resolve disagreements over business terms and alternative distribution. Following the fine last year, which Apple has appealed, the company received instructions to make changes to adhere to the EU's Digital Markets Act or face recurring penalty payments that could reach over €50 million daily. The Commission is currently not contemplating periodic penalties but is observing the announced measures. The new terms grant developers greater flexibility to guide App Store users to alternative platforms and payment systems, and EU users will be able to utilize alternative app distribution channels even while abroad. The EU bolstered its legal arsenal in recent years with the Digital Markets Act and Digital Services Act, which have been criticized by the US administration as regulatory overreach. Apple has consistently contested the DMA's antitrust rules, arguing it has no alternative but to comply under threat of substantial fines. The tech giant had filed a case before the top EU court, arguing that stricter DMA rules should not apply to its iOS operating system and App Store, but the case was dismissed last month. US President Donald Trump has criticized the EU's digital laws and taxes as \"non-tariff barriers\" to trade, and many tech executives have aligned with his administration's stance.",
  "summary": "Apple has agreed to revise its developer terms, allowing iPhone and iPad apps to be distributed through the App Store, third-party stores or the web.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "EU ‘welcomes’ Apple steps to comply with digital rules",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/eu-welcomes-apple-steps-to-comply-with-digital-rules",
        "published": "2026-08-18T22:31:40.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}