Apple is allowed to collect the 15-30%. No one including EU or US has said otherwise.
And what happened in Netherlands with the dating apps underscores this.
What will happen instead is that there will be other stores/payment methods and Apple will simply bill them instead using the telemetry it has around which apps are being launched. And what those stores will find is that its an unprofitable and unenjoyable business to run and the status quo will largely remain the same.
You're right. However, the Biden administration is now on-record stating that iPhones need more app competition[0] and sideloading will happen in the EU regardless.
The hammer is dropping, just not in a very exciting fashion. The fun part comes when Apple is forced to implement something that complies with EU regulators and pleases the US Department of Commerce.
If Windows, MacOS, or even Android did the same thing, I don't think the Department of Commerce would be very happy. In fact, I think they're starting to recognize that all platforms should be treated equally, or at least that's what the official US inquiry reports:
> NTIA’s “Competition in the Mobile Application Ecosystem” report found the current ecosystem is not a level playing field, which is harmful to developers and consumers. The report recommends policy changes to improve the ecosystem.
Apple continuing to charge an arbitrary fee probably doesn't "level the playing field" they're talking about. But we can agree to disagree for now, I'm perfectly contented waiting for Apple's response in Europe first.
a) Apple will still require the developer to be registered with their Developer Program in order to get the certificate to allow apps to be installed. They can simply ask for the cost of the app to be self-reported.
b) With existing telemetry they know which apps are being installed and run and can simply bill the developer directly.
c) In the case of a developer using a third party store, Apple can have an API which stores can use to report this information so they can manage the developer relationship themselves.
d) All of the above will simply shift revenue collection to a compliance activity. If you don't provide accurate details your certificate is revoked and you're banned from the store.
> in order to get the certificate to allow apps to be installed
Personally, I think this goes hand in hand with the App store requirement - if that one will be lifted, the certificate one will be lifted as well.
> They can simply ask for the cost of the app to be self-reported.
The app itself is free, and the customer will pay for something else instead. I'm not sure about the legalese (possibly different per country), but this just reeks of loopholes.
And what happened in Netherlands with the dating apps underscores this.
What will happen instead is that there will be other stores/payment methods and Apple will simply bill them instead using the telemetry it has around which apps are being launched. And what those stores will find is that its an unprofitable and unenjoyable business to run and the status quo will largely remain the same.