Apple has reversed its plans to limit entry to sure net apps within the EU
A couple of days after the EU introduced it might examine Apple’s plans to limit entry to sure net apps that circumvent its App Retailer, the tech firm is now reversing that plan of action. In an replace to a developer assist web page, as reported by 9to5Mac, Apple says it is going to “proceed to supply the prevailing Residence Display net apps functionality within the EU” in iOS 17.4.
Apple maintains that dwelling display apps will nonetheless have to be utilized by its personal Safari engine, WebKit. Any apps downloaded from third-party browsers will probably not seem on the house display and might not be supported by their very own engines. In keeping with Apple, performance ought to return when customers replace to iOS 17.4 in early March.
Apple claimed that the choice to limit entry to net apps (also called PWAs) was in response to the Digital Markets Act (DMA). PWAs enable firms to develop apps accessible as webpages, showing as an icon on a cell person’s dwelling display. Due to this fact, These could be downloaded with out accessing conventional app shops, which Apple reasoned that non-Safari browsers may pose unacceptable safety and privateness dangers underneath the DMA.
Apple vs the EU
This isn’t the primary time that Apple has gone up in opposition to the EU. Previously, the corporate has resisted laws corresponding to common chargers and different digital market laws.
On this case, Apple has acknowledged that it’s reversing the choice after it “obtained requests” to proceed supporting the function, studies the Verge. Whereas it’s unclear the place these requests got here from, Apple’s assertion that it might drop net apps drew criticism from builders and customers alike. For instance, the nonprofit group Open Internet Advocacy wrote an open letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook dinner in regard to the transfer.
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