The corporation has found a clever way to stifle competitors by circumventing the laws.
Apple has restricted the development and support of third-party browser engines for the European Union after the forced adoption of a new DMA law allowing the use of alternative browser engines on iOS.
According to sources, Apple has restricted the development and testing of third-party browser engines on devices located outside the EU, which creates an additional barrier for developers planning to create and support browsers with alternative engines in Europe.
In fact, Apple has imposed a geographical restriction on development teams, requiring them to be located within the EU. Developers in the United States can only work with simulators, but full testing is only possible on real devices.
Prior to the release of iOS 17.4, Apple required all browsers on iOS and iPadOS to use Apple's WebKit engine. So it turns out that whatever browser you use on your iPhone, it's basically Safari. Browser developers have objected to this restriction for years, as it reduces the competitive advantage and limits the incentives for iOS users to use other browsers.
The situation changed with the adoption of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) in the EU, which forced the company to make concessions. In iOS 17.4, the use of alternative browser engines for applications in the EU was allowed. However, competitors claim that the "concessions" are aimed at making it as difficult as possible to develop competitive alternatives to Safari.
One browser industry veteran expressed his dissatisfaction to The Register: "The terms of the contract are just crazy, and almost no supplier I know will agree to them. Even those who might have signed something to be able to create prototypes can't release the product under the conditions that Apple is trying to impose. The terms are so vague and extensive that they allowApple to evade most of the DMA rules."
The open web standards support group Open Web Advocacy (OWA) said that by banning professionals around the world from working on their browsers unless they are physically located in the EU, Apple is preventing the ability to compete or even release a product on iOS.
Apple, as a rule, does not comment on such issues. Mozilla and Google have been exploring versions of Firefox and Chrome for iOS based on engines other than WebKit, but haven't released anything yet. Firefox users have requested a version based on the Gecko engine for iOS, but have not yet received any release commitments.
In accordance with the European Digital Markets Act (DMA), Apple allowed the use of third-party app stores or the installation of applications bypassing the App Store.
According to the law:
In addition to the app stores, Apple has also made drastic changes to how web browsers work on iPhones for users in the EU. iOS 17.4 adds the ability to set your preferred default browser when you first launch Safari, and browser vendors will be able to use other browser engines.
Apple has restricted the development and support of third-party browser engines for the European Union after the forced adoption of a new DMA law allowing the use of alternative browser engines on iOS.
According to sources, Apple has restricted the development and testing of third-party browser engines on devices located outside the EU, which creates an additional barrier for developers planning to create and support browsers with alternative engines in Europe.
In fact, Apple has imposed a geographical restriction on development teams, requiring them to be located within the EU. Developers in the United States can only work with simulators, but full testing is only possible on real devices.
Prior to the release of iOS 17.4, Apple required all browsers on iOS and iPadOS to use Apple's WebKit engine. So it turns out that whatever browser you use on your iPhone, it's basically Safari. Browser developers have objected to this restriction for years, as it reduces the competitive advantage and limits the incentives for iOS users to use other browsers.
The situation changed with the adoption of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) in the EU, which forced the company to make concessions. In iOS 17.4, the use of alternative browser engines for applications in the EU was allowed. However, competitors claim that the "concessions" are aimed at making it as difficult as possible to develop competitive alternatives to Safari.
One browser industry veteran expressed his dissatisfaction to The Register: "The terms of the contract are just crazy, and almost no supplier I know will agree to them. Even those who might have signed something to be able to create prototypes can't release the product under the conditions that Apple is trying to impose. The terms are so vague and extensive that they allowApple to evade most of the DMA rules."
The open web standards support group Open Web Advocacy (OWA) said that by banning professionals around the world from working on their browsers unless they are physically located in the EU, Apple is preventing the ability to compete or even release a product on iOS.
Apple, as a rule, does not comment on such issues. Mozilla and Google have been exploring versions of Firefox and Chrome for iOS based on engines other than WebKit, but haven't released anything yet. Firefox users have requested a version based on the Gecko engine for iOS, but have not yet received any release commitments.
In accordance with the European Digital Markets Act (DMA), Apple allowed the use of third-party app stores or the installation of applications bypassing the App Store.
According to the law:
- Apple should allow developers to use third-party payment platforms;
- Users should be able to install apps without using Apple's App Store.;
- iMessage must interact with other messengers.
In addition to the app stores, Apple has also made drastic changes to how web browsers work on iPhones for users in the EU. iOS 17.4 adds the ability to set your preferred default browser when you first launch Safari, and browser vendors will be able to use other browser engines.
