• Apple adjusts App Store fees to comply with EU antitrust laws.
• Developers can now channel customers to external payment systems.
• The company plans to appeal a €500 million fine imposed by the EU.
• New fee structures aim to lower costs for developers.
• The EU will assess changes for compliance with the Digital Markets Act.

Apple recently announced changes to its App Store payment regulations in the European Union (EU), following an antitrust ruling that could have imposed serious financial penalties. Effective from June 26, developers will now face a 20% processing fee for purchases made within the app, with this potentially dropping to 13% under Apple’s small-business program. Notably, developers directing customers outside the App Store for payments will incur a minimum fee of 5% to a maximum of 15% for transactions, which allows for a broader range of payment options and structures to comply with EU regulations according to Channel News Asia, Los Angeles Times, Le Monde, Reuters, and Bangkok Post.

The revamp comes on the heels of a €500 million ($580 million) fine levied against Apple by EU regulators, accusing the tech giant of obstructing developers from directing consumers to cheaper alternatives outside the App Store. With the changes implemented, developers now have greater flexibility to promote alternative payment options beyond Apple's platform, which previously restricted such activities under the threat of additional fines of up to €50 million daily, according to Los Angeles Times, Le Monde, and Reuters.

Despite these changes, Apple is preparing to appeal the antitrust ruling, stating, "We disagree with this outcome and plan to appeal," emphasizing ongoing tensions with the EU concerning its regulatory framework under the Digital Markets Act. The commission is set to evaluate whether Apple’s new terms sufficiently align with the regulatory requirements to avoid further penalties according to Channel News Asia, Los Angeles Times, and Bangkok Post.