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EU users will face additional security measures when purchasing from the Apple App Store to provide them with the same . an obstacle faced by those who buy from new competing stores.
Fifteen years after the App Store opened, users in the European Union will have to take an extra step before they can download apps. As with every other app, and presumably any future competing app store, Apple's App Store will now ask for permission before downloading.
Apparently in the EU when downloading the app to App Store behaved like a third-party marketplace (so it is not considered anti-competitive). This happens after authentication using Face ID.
(This is in version 17.4 beta 4) pic.twitter.com/oGwZVSPLcm
— iSoftware Updates (@iSWUpdates) February 23, 2024
The new permission request, first spotted by X/Twitter user iSoftwareUpdates, comes after the user unlocked their iPhone. This happens even after the user has clicked the Get button in the App Store and verified using Face ID that they want to continue.
Regardless of the selected application, the new security level states: “The App Store wants to install the application.” Then a More option appears that explains how to “check information before installation,” although there are no further details yet.
This means that the App Store, at least in the EU, will operate just like any other app that requests permission. Apps first ask for permission when they want to track a user, and also because they need access to, say, a microphone to function.
As a result, the Apple App Store is losing its previously vaunted position of automatic trust. Since this almost certainly means that rival app stores will have to take this step, Apple may be able to argue that it is not giving its own apps preferential treatment.
Apple is currently testing all its new EU features in developer beta, but is also battling rivals who want to claim it is ignoring European laws.
