Apple has taken action to comply with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act by disabling the distribution of Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) within the EU region.
In a recent update posted on its Developer site, Apple explained that the decision was driven by concerns regarding the security and privacy complexities associated with web apps utilizing browser engines beyond Apple’s own WebKit.
According to Apple, enabling the distribution of PWAs would have necessitated the development of an entirely new integration architecture, which is currently non-existent in iOS. The company deemed this undertaking impractical, especially considering the other requirements of the Digital Markets Act and the limited adoption of Home Screen web apps by users.
However, Apple assured users that they can still access websites directly from their home screens through bookmarks.
“We regret any inconvenience caused by this change, which was implemented as part of our efforts to comply with the Digital Markets Act,” the company stated.
Apple recently unveiled new terms for developers in Europe, introducing a 17% commission fee on transactions for digital goods and services. This move further solidifies Apple’s stance in revenue-sharing arrangements with developers within the EU region.
