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How Apple's policy changes will affect the browser market.
Apple will make changes to the settings for selecting browsers and their functions on iOS and iPadOS devices in the European Union. The innovations are aimed at fulfilling the requirements of the new Digital Markets Act (DMA), which fights against the monopolization of the market.
The changes also follow the decision of the European Commission to launch an investigation into Apple's compliance with new antitrust rules. The Open Web Advocacy (OWA) group, which represents the interests of web developers, praised Apple's moves, noting that the company has implemented 6 of the 11 proposed guidelines to comply with the DMA.
OWA also noted that Apple removed 2 "manipulative patterns" that put third-party browsers at a disadvantage. For example, the ability to change the default browser was hidden if Safari was the primary browser. Now this option will be easily accessible. In addition, the browser selection screen was only displayed when Safari was not set as the default browser.
The changes will make it easier for users in the EU to choose their preferred browser, which promotes fair competition. This is confirmed by the fact that after the implementation of the changes, the number of installs of the Brave browser on iOS in the EU increased by 50%.
Despite the positive steps, Apple has not yet implemented all of OWA's recommendations. In particular, 5 more proposals remain unfulfilled, including requiring the use of the user's chosen browser for all built-in browsers in iOS apps.
OWA also indicated that the changes only affect users in the EU and will not affect users in other countries. The organization called on regulators around the world to take similar measures.
In the UK, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is also investigating Apple's activities in relation to mobile browsers and cloud gaming from 2022. The CMA has presented possible measures to improve competition, but OWA fears that the rules will not prevent further manipulation by Apple.
One of the main problems is the limitations of the WebKit engine, which is used for all web applications on iOS, even if the user chooses a different browser. This puts web apps at a disadvantage compared to native iOS apps. OWA believes that the CMA should require Apple to provide all browsers with access to all features and functionality of the devices in order to ensure a level playing field for all browsers and applications.
In January, it became known that Apple was making drastic changes to the way web browsers work on the iPhone for users in the EU. In iOS 17.4, it will be possible to set your preferred default browser when you first launch Safari, and browser manufacturers will be able to use other browser engines.
The corporation has taken such steps to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which comes into force in March. Apple also recently made changes to the App Store policy to allow users to install third-party apps bypassing the App Store.
It is also worth noting that after the forced adoption of the DMA, Apple limited the development and support of third-party browser engines for the European Union. In fact, Apple has imposed a geo-restriction on development teams, requiring them to be located within the EU. Developers in the United States can only work with simulators, but full-fledged testing is possible only on real devices.
The situation changed with the adoption of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) in the EU, which forced the company to make concessions. iOS 17.4 allowed the use of alternative browser engines for apps in the EU. However, competitors argue that the "concessions" are aimed at making it as difficult as possible to develop competitive alternatives to Safari.
Source
Apple will make changes to the settings for selecting browsers and their functions on iOS and iPadOS devices in the European Union. The innovations are aimed at fulfilling the requirements of the new Digital Markets Act (DMA), which fights against the monopolization of the market.
The changes also follow the decision of the European Commission to launch an investigation into Apple's compliance with new antitrust rules. The Open Web Advocacy (OWA) group, which represents the interests of web developers, praised Apple's moves, noting that the company has implemented 6 of the 11 proposed guidelines to comply with the DMA.
OWA also noted that Apple removed 2 "manipulative patterns" that put third-party browsers at a disadvantage. For example, the ability to change the default browser was hidden if Safari was the primary browser. Now this option will be easily accessible. In addition, the browser selection screen was only displayed when Safari was not set as the default browser.
The changes will make it easier for users in the EU to choose their preferred browser, which promotes fair competition. This is confirmed by the fact that after the implementation of the changes, the number of installs of the Brave browser on iOS in the EU increased by 50%.
Despite the positive steps, Apple has not yet implemented all of OWA's recommendations. In particular, 5 more proposals remain unfulfilled, including requiring the use of the user's chosen browser for all built-in browsers in iOS apps.
OWA also indicated that the changes only affect users in the EU and will not affect users in other countries. The organization called on regulators around the world to take similar measures.
In the UK, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is also investigating Apple's activities in relation to mobile browsers and cloud gaming from 2022. The CMA has presented possible measures to improve competition, but OWA fears that the rules will not prevent further manipulation by Apple.
One of the main problems is the limitations of the WebKit engine, which is used for all web applications on iOS, even if the user chooses a different browser. This puts web apps at a disadvantage compared to native iOS apps. OWA believes that the CMA should require Apple to provide all browsers with access to all features and functionality of the devices in order to ensure a level playing field for all browsers and applications.
In January, it became known that Apple was making drastic changes to the way web browsers work on the iPhone for users in the EU. In iOS 17.4, it will be possible to set your preferred default browser when you first launch Safari, and browser manufacturers will be able to use other browser engines.
The corporation has taken such steps to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which comes into force in March. Apple also recently made changes to the App Store policy to allow users to install third-party apps bypassing the App Store.
It is also worth noting that after the forced adoption of the DMA, Apple limited the development and support of third-party browser engines for the European Union. In fact, Apple has imposed a geo-restriction on development teams, requiring them to be located within the EU. Developers in the United States can only work with simulators, but full-fledged testing is possible only on real devices.
The situation changed with the adoption of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) in the EU, which forced the company to make concessions. iOS 17.4 allowed the use of alternative browser engines for apps in the EU. However, competitors argue that the "concessions" are aimed at making it as difficult as possible to develop competitive alternatives to Safari.
Source
