Apple Users in Europe Can Now Download Apps from Third-Party Web Platforms
- Written by Elijah Ugoh Cybersecurity & Tech Writer
- Fact-Checked by
The European Union’s Digital Markets Act officially comes into force this month. The most noteworthy change is that Apple users in Europe will start to see iOS and Apple apps, which have been exclusively available on the App Store, made available through third-party distributors.
While this offers developers more independence when it comes to app distribution, they must also follow Apple’s stringent app distribution and payment processing policies.
The DMA, which became applicable in May 2023, is a law introduced by the EU to make the digital markets a level playing field and more open to competition. It now forces so-called “gatekeepers” like Apple to open their core platform services to third-party competition within the EU.
However, Apple has its concerns over the new regulations. “The new options for processing payments and downloading apps on iOS open new avenues for malware, fraud and scams, illicit and harmful content, and other privacy and security threats,” says Apple in the press release .
It continues to say that Apple is committed to “helping to protect EU users from the unavoidable increased privacy and security threats this regulation brings.”
Apple will also provide Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to help third-party app distributors. The APIs are meant to help “integrate with system functionality, back up and restore users’ apps, and more,” says a statement on its support page .
However, the issue with this update is that developers must meet Apple’s tough requirements to be allowed to participate as trusted app distributors.
Apps provided by developers through Web Distribution must meet Notarization requirements to protect the integrity of the platform and must be offered on a website domain that is registered in App Store Connect.
Apple is also introducing strict measures in payment processing, which makes it very challenging for any third-party app developer to comply with Apple’s alternative app distribution terms.
The Coalition for App Fairness (CAF) has slammed Apple for being anti-competitive and for trying to extort developers. This non-profit organization cites new and unnecessary fees as well as overly complex terms that are bad for both consumers and developers.
“Apple clearly has no intention to comply with the DMA. Apple is introducing new fees on direct downloads and payments they do nothing to process,” says Rick VanMeter, Executive Director of the Coalition for App Fairness, in a CAF statement .
“Apple’s proposal forces developers to… stick with the terrible status quo or opt into a new convoluted set of terms that are bad for developers and consumers alike.”
While part of Apple’s new terms does reduce the amount of commission the company makes from third-party app sales, it still wants developers to pay the €0.50 Core Technology Fee for each first annual install if the iOS apps distributed on alternative platforms cross over a million downloads. Only nonprofits, educational institutions, and government entities based in the EU are exempt from these fees.
Pornhub Blocks Site Access in Texas Over Age Verification Dispute
- Written by Shipra Sanganeria Cybersecurity & Tech Writer
- Fact-Checked by
Texas residents can no longer access Pornhub or any porn site owned by Aylo Global Entertainment as of March 14.
In protest over HB 1181 , the state’s age verification bill, the adult entertainment company was forced to add Texas to its growing list of US states where visitors are prevented from accessing its pornographic online content.
Pornhub has already blocked access to its site in several US states, including Louisiana, Mississippi, Virginia, Utah, Montana, and North Carolina, due to similar age verification laws that were passed.
Although these laws have been mainly enacted to protect under-18 children from accessing adult content, various advocacy groups in the US and even the UK oppose online age checks due to serious privacy concerns.
Citing similar views, Pornhub calls this law “ineffective and dangerous.”
“Since age verification software requires users to hand over extremely sensitive information, it opens the door for the risk of data breaches,’’ Pornhub said in a blog on its website. “Whether or not your intentions are good, governments have historically struggled to secure this data. It also creates an opportunity for criminals to exploit and extort people through phishing attempts…’’
At first, Pornhub did comply with the law when it went into effect in Louisiana, where it ran age checks through the state-run LA Wallet app. However, after noticing an almost 80% drop in visitor traffic, the company decided to block user access in states requiring age verification for adult websites.
Citing safe online practices, Pornhub has instead advocated device-based age verification, placing the responsibility on operating system developers.
The company argues that having a centralized operating system age verification system will not only reduce privacy risk, but also simplify the process for regulators.
The entertainment site reassured content creators in these states that they can still use Pornhub with their creator accounts, as a user is required to verify their identity before uploading any content.
