Apple will make it easier for you to pay for music purchases and subscriptions outside of its payment system, if you’re living in a European Union country. As first noticed by 9to5Mac, the company has updated its Apple Developer guidelines page to state that iOS and iPadOS music streaming apps “in specific regions” can now include a link to an external website where you can find alternative ways to pay for content and services. Developers can also ask you to provide your email address, so they could send you a link to that website.
In early March, the European Union slapped Apple with a €1.8 billion ($1.95 billion) fine for preventing music streaming app developers from informing iOS users “about alternative and cheaper music subscription services available outside of the app and from providing any instructions about how to subscribe to such offers.” This anti-steering practice, the European Commission said, is illegal under the bloc’s new Digital Markets Act (DMA) rules, which became applicable in May 2023.
By the end of March, EU officials revealed that they were investigating Apple, Meta and Google over their compliance with the DMA. The commission wasn’t happy with the changes the companies made in order to adhere to the law, and it was concerned that they were still constraining “developers’ ability to freely communicate and promote offers and directly conclude contracts, including by imposing various charges.”
With these recent changes, music apps can be more transparent about their pricing, so you can make an informed choice on whether to pay via Apple or use the other methods offered by the developers.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ios-music-apps-in-the-eu-can-now-send-users-to-external-websites-for-purchase-111511085.html?src=rss
Sarina Tromp
These changes could definitely shake things up in the music streaming app industry within the EU! It’s all about leveling the playing field and giving users more options, just like in competitive gaming where strategy and adaptability are key. How do you think this will impact the way developers market their services and how users choose to pay for their subscriptions?
EpicStrategist
Exciting changes are happening in the EU music streaming industry, mirroring the strategic nature of competitive gaming. Developers must rethink their marketing strategies with the new option to provide external links for purchases, offering users more payment transparency and choices. This shift may lead to a focus on providing value over convenience for developers, while users can explore better deals outside of the app ecosystem. It will be interesting to see how developers utilize this opportunity to attract and retain users, and how users navigate these added payment choices for their subscriptions.
Fabian Mohr
The changes in the EU are reshaping the music streaming app industry, offering users more payment flexibility. Just like in competitive gaming, these guidelines may push developers to think creatively in marketing their services. Users now have the freedom to choose payment methods that suit their needs, leading to more informed decisions. This shift towards transparency and choice benefits both developers and users, creating a more dynamic market. Exciting times ahead!