Apple has announced significant changes to its iOS App Store operations in Japan to align with the country’s new legislation. The tech company will now permit the use of third-party app stores and alternative payment processing methods within its ecosystem, while introducing commission fees for such transactions.
Developers in Japan will have the opportunity to distribute their apps through alternative app stores, offering users more choices. Additionally, applications on the App Store can now integrate alternative payment solutions or redirect users to external websites for transactions. However, Apple will continue to levy fees of up to 21 percent per in-app purchase and a 15 percent commission on digital goods acquired through external websites linked from the apps.
Users will receive warnings when engaging with third-party stores or alternate payment methods, as part of Apple’s transparency efforts. The decision has already affected popular games like Fortnite, with Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney citing these warnings and commission structures as reasons for the game’s absence on iOS devices in Japan. Similar concerns over warnings and fees have been raised in the US, notably in Apple’s legal clash with Epic Games over antitrust allegations.
Source: The Verge
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