Apple to Allow Deletion of App Store and Safari in EU Amid New Digital Rules

Apple has announced that it will allow iPhone and iPad users in the European Union (EU) to delete the App Store and Safari browser, marking a significant shift in the company’s longstanding policy of tightly controlling its ecosystem. This change is in response to the EU’s new Digital Markets Act (DMA), which aims to increase competition in the digital space by reducing the dominance of Big Tech firms.

According to a support page for developers, Apple stated, “The App Store, Messages, Camera, Photos, and Safari apps will be deletable for users in the EU.” However, the Settings and Phone apps will remain undeletable.

Additionally, Apple will introduce a special section allowing users to manage default settings for browsers, messaging, phone calls, and other features. The company emphasized that alternative browser engines will be authorized only if developers meet specific privacy and security criteria.

The DMA has also led Apple to adjust its App Store policies. Previously, app makers were required to use Apple’s payment system, with the company taking a commission on transactions. However, Apple will now permit developers in the EU to promote and offer purchases via alternative marketplaces, along with a new fee structure for users linking out of an app for offers and content.

The European Commission, the EU’s antitrust regulator, has been monitoring Apple’s compliance with the DMA and will assess the company’s changes, considering feedback from the market and developers.

The DMA mandates that major tech firms like Apple, Google, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, and ByteDance adhere to rules designed to foster competition. The law also provides the EU with the authority to impose substantial fines on companies that fail to comply. Other companies, including Booking.com and potentially Elon Musk’s X, may also be subject to the DMA’s rules in the near future.