**Apple’s Scare Tactics Target EU Apps Using Alternative Payments**
Apple is under scrutiny for using alarming warnings to discourage European users from downloading iOS apps that offer alternative payment options. A notable example is Instacar, a Hungarian app for checking used car mileage and value, which displays a red exclamation mark on its App Store listing alongside a message cautioning users that it doesn’t use Apple’s “private and secure payment system.” Despite Instacar’s strong reputation—ranking among Hungary’s top five business apps with thousands of positive reviews—Apple’s warning implies heightened risk, seemingly just because the app processes payments externally. The disclaimer notes that features like Family Sharing and subscription management won’t be available, but critics argue the alert is designed to dissuade users unfairly.
This tactic isn’t new—Apple introduced the warning in March 2024 to comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which requires allowing third-party payment systems. However, few EU apps have adopted external payments due to Apple’s restrictive rules, with estimates suggesting fewer than 100 have done so. Apple proposed toning down the warning in August, replacing the red exclamation with a neutral “i” icon, but the EU has yet to approve the change. Meanwhile, Apple’s support page emphasizes that users must trust developers with their data when using external payments, further framing the option as risky.
The controversy comes as Apple faces broader EU scrutiny over anti-competitive practices. In April, the European Commission criticized Apple for making it unnecessarily difficult to install alternative app stores, citing confusing scare tactics. The issue gained renewed attention after a U.S. court ruled in Epic’s favor, barring Apple from blocking external payment links—though this ruling doesn’t apply in the EU. As regulators push back, Apple’s warnings highlight the ongoing tension between compliance and its efforts to maintain control over its ecosystem.
*Updated May 16th with additional context on the warning banner’s rollout.*
Ez a cikk a Neural News AI (V1) verziójával készült.
Forrás: https://www.theverge.com/news/667484/apple-eu-ios-app-store-warning-payment-system.