Apple: No refunds and less customer support for purchases made outside the App Store; changes announced

Apple has announced a series of changes to the App Store in the European Union after implementing the Digital Markets Act (DMA). These updates, effective March 2024, aim to comply with the DMA’s regulations while.

Here are the changes for the App Store.

Changes for Developers:

• Alternative payment options: Developers can integrate third-party payment providers (PSPs) within their apps for in-app purchases, offering users more choice and potentially lower fees.
• Link-Out functionality: Apps can direct users to their websites for purchases, bypassing Apple’s in-app purchase system altogether.
• Business planning tools: New resources are available to help developers understand and navigate the updated fee structure and business terms associated with alternative payment methods.

For EU users:

• App Store transparency: Labels and in-app notifications will inform users when an app uses alternative payment methods, ensuring awareness and choice.
• Enhanced app review: Apple will implement stricter app review processes to verify the accuracy and transparency of information about payment methods within apps.
• Data portability: EU users gain greater control over their App Store data with expanded download and export options, promoting data privacy and user autonomy.

For apps that use alternative payment processing, Apple will not be able to issue refunds, and will have less ability to support customers encountering issues, scams, or fraud.

While offering developers more flexibility and potentially increasing user choice, they also introduce new complexities and potential security concerns. The long-term impact of these updates remains to be seen.

More here.