Apple complies with new EU regulations and revolutionises the iPhone: here's what changes

It is a gritted-teeth 'OK', the one coming from Apple, towards the European Union. It is an 'OK' that will take concrete form from next March, and with the release of the new operating system for the iPhone (iOS 17.4), which will in fact overturn the rules, dismantling the rigidity that Apple has imposed in these 17 years of experience in the world of smartphones. The Cupertino company has in fact announced the go-ahead for the arrival on its devices of alternative stores, payment services competing with Apple Pay, and other changes due to the now imminent arrival of the new Digital Markets Act strongly desired by the EU Commission. A situation that in some ways translates into a new European victory against Apple, after the story of the Usb-C charging connector that from this year has taken the place of the famous lightning connector on the new iPhones.

We were saying 'OK' through clenched teeth, because the Californian giant does not fail to emphasise its point of view, not too favourable (so to speak) to the new regulatory dictate approved in Brussels. And this is immediately apparent. Between the first lines of the official note issued by Apple, it is written: "In all of these changes, Apple is introducing new protections that reduce, but do not eliminate, the new risks that the DMA poses to EU users. With these steps, Apple will continue to provide the best and most secure experience possible for EU users."

The Digital Markets Act is the new European regulation on digital markets, approved by the EU Parliament on 5 July 2022. It entered into force on 1 November, with the - very ambitious - aim of combating unfair market practices and distortions of competition by Big Tech. From the day of entry into force, six months have been allowed for the companies involved to adapt to the new rules. Six months expire on 7 March next, when the new regulation will be fully effective. In the event of violations, fines of up to 20% of turnover are envisaged.

Apple, then, adapts to the DMA. And the changes (which only affect European users) will not be trivial. They will be introduced, as mentioned, with the new iOS 17.4, starting in early March. "The changes we are announcing today comply with the requirements of the Digital Markets Act in the European Union, while helping to protect EU users from the inevitable growing privacy and security threats that this legislation brings. Our priority remains creating the best and most secure experience possible for our users in the EU and around the world," said Apple's Phil Schiller. "Developers can now learn about the tools and terms available for alternative app distribution and alternative payment processing, new features for alternative browser engines and contactless payments, and more. Importantly, developers can choose to remain on the same current contract terms if they wish."

Saying that for developers Apple has set up an area where the new rules are explained in detail (and new APIs introduced), for those with iPhones the changes will be substantial. The Cupertino giant will unlock new APIs that will allow new contactless payment services to be developed. In essence, therefore, the iPhone's NFC technology will no longer be exclusive to the Apple Pay service. This is an enormous opportunity for players in the sector, who will however have to deal with the loyalty of Apple users, who are usually reluctant to abandon Cupertino's services. The same applies to the App Store, Apple's shop for apps: it will also be possible to have different shops on the iPhone on which to download apps. However, developers will still have to submit apps to Apple's scrutiny for obvious cybersecurity risks and fraud, and Apple will charge a 'core technology fee' to major app developers even if they do not use any of Apple's payment services.