Apple announced on August 18 that it will revise its App Store commission structure for developers in the European Union, effective October 1. Under the new model, the link‑out commission will be reduced to 15 percent and the Core Technology Fee will be replaced by a 5 percent Core Technology Commission on digital transactions conducted outside the App Store. The commission on in‑app purchases using Apple’s In‑App Purchase system will be 26 percent, while the rate for the majority of developers, including those in the Small Business Program and for auto‑renewing subscriptions after the first year, will be 15 percent. Developers using alternative payment processing will pay 20 percent, or 10 percent if they qualify for reduced rates. Apps that link out of the app to complete purchases will incur a 15 percent commission, with a reduced 10 percent rate for eligible developers. For apps distributed through alternative marketplaces or via the web, Apple will apply a 5 percent Core Technology Commission.

The revised terms also eliminate the initial acquisition fee and the store services fee. In addition, Apple introduced child‑safety provisions: apps in the Kids category may not link to external sites for transactions, and apps that use alternative payment processing or link to websites for purchases must include a parental gate for users under 18, with additional restrictions for users under 13. The rules apply where parental consent for digital actions is required for children older than 13.

Apple expanded eligibility for alternative app marketplaces and web distribution by requiring developers to meet a financial‑stability threshold measured by Dun & Bradstreet, be publicly traded or owned by a publicly traded company, have venture funding from an established firm, have undergone a financial audit by a licensed accountant, or be a government entity, educational institution, or nonprofit. All apps distributed through these channels will remain subject to Apple’s notarization process.

A European Commission spokesperson told Bloomberg that the Commission welcomes the changes and will monitor Apple’s implementation of the new terms.