Apple updated its App Store rules and fees in the European Union on Thursday to comply with the bloc’s Digital Markets Act and avoid further penalties.
The company now allows developers to send users to external payment systems using unlimited links.
Developers who use external payment methods will pay Apple a fee of between 5% and 15%. For purchases made through the App Store, Apple will continue to charge a 20% processing fee, which can go as low as 13% for developers in its small-business program.
The European Commission had given Apple 60 days to comply with the new rules or face daily fines of up to 5% of its average global revenue, which could amount to around 50 million euros per day. Apple has already paid a 500 million euro fine in April.
Apple said it disagrees with the Commission’s decision and plans to appeal. The Commission said it will now review the changes and gather feedback from other market players before deciding the next steps.
Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, criticized Apple’s updated rules on social media, saying the changes still limit competition in the App Store.
