Apple's New EU App Store Terms Still Breach DMA, Coalition Says
A coalition of 18 app developer and digital business organizations, including the European Game Developer Federation (EGDF) and the Coalition for App Fairness, has publicly criticized Apple's revised EU App Store terms, announced on August 18th, 2026. The groups argue the new terms still violate the Digital Markets Act (DMA). They specifically object to the 15% fee for steering users to external payment methods, which the DMA requires to be free, and the replacement of the previous Core Technology Fee with a 5% Core Technology Commission on transactions outside the App Store. The coalition claims the European Commission appears to endorse these terms without formal consultation, leaving developers in uncertainty. They also note that Apple retains significant control through app review and registration requirements, and reference a US court order barring similar fees. This follows Apple's €500m fine in April 2025 for DMA non-compliance.
- •A coalition of 18 organizations, including EGDF and Coalition for App Fairness, signed an open letter criticizing Apple's new EU App Store terms announced on August 18th, 2026.
- •Apple's 15% steering fee and 5% Core Technology Commission on external transactions are the main objections under the DMA.
- •The coalition argues that Apple retains gatekeeping power through app review and registration requirements.