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Apple's App Store changes don't sit well with Xbox president

Pictured: Justin Diaz
By Justin Diaz
January 30, 2024
Featured image for Apple's App Store changes don't sit well with Xbox president

The App Store changes that Apple recently announced this month aren’t going over well with developers, and Xbox President Sarah Bond has chimed in to comment on the new structure for fees.

Bond calls Apple’s App Store policy a “step in the wrong direction.” Adding that she hopes Apple listens to developer feedback to “work towards a more inclusive future for all.” The changes in question refer to Apple’s decision to allow third-party app stores on iOS. Staunchly against third-party app stores on its platform, Apple is making this change to comply with the recent Digital Markets Act that the European Union laid out. Changes take place on March 7 and Apple will need to have things ready before then.

On the face of things, these changes sound like a dream come true for developers. Not to mention users. Who will now have more choices on where they get apps. But digging deeper reveals the complete details of Apple’s policy change. Third-party app stores will be allowed, but developers who publish on them will be required to pay a new fee of €0.50 per app install once it has been downloaded 1 million times. This fee also applies to apps distributed on the App Store.

Xbox head agrees with Spotify CEO on Apple App Store changes

Xbox’s Sarah Bond isn’t the only company leader speaking out against Apple’s new policy changes. Earlier this week, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek said the policy compliance was a “complete and total farce.” Ek also says Apple is rendering the EU’s goal of giving users more choice and more control useless. Apple is essentially charging more in fees than developers will be able to afford according to Ek. So the option for most developers will likely be to stick with Apple’s current App Store rules if they want to be profitable.

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney also commented on Apple’s new policy changes. Calling them “a devious new instance of Malicious Compliance.” Sweeney has been a vocal opposition to Apple’s walled garden for years. To the point that Epic sued Apple for abuse of monopolistic practices by forcing developers to use the App Store and charging as much as a 30% fee for in-app purchases.