On Thursday, Apple revised its policy within the European Union, permitting developers to engage with their customers outside of the App Store. This change follows the European Commission's decision in June to penalize the iPhone manufacturer for violating the bloc's technology regulations.

The Commission had previously indicated that Apple's business terms primarily allowed for customer redirection through "link-outs," which enable app developers to include links in their applications that lead to external web pages for contract completion.

Apple has now announced that developers will have the ability to communicate and promote offers available across various platforms, not limited to their own websites, directly within their applications.

Nevertheless, Apple plans to implement two new fees: a 5% acquisition fee for new users and a 10% store services fee for any sales made by app users on any platform within the first year of app installation.

Presently, Apple imposes three types of fees: a core technology fee applicable to less than 1% of apps, a reduced commission for all digital goods and services sold through the App Store, and an optional fee for payment and commerce services.

The newly introduced fees will replace the reduced commission for digital goods and services sold via the App Store. Spotify, which has had ongoing disputes with Apple regarding in-app links, stated that it is currently evaluating Apple's proposal.

A spokesperson for Spotify remarked, "At first glance, by imposing a fee of up to 25% for basic user communication, Apple once again shows a blatant disregard for the essential requirements of the Digital Markets Act."

The Commission had previously criticized the fees imposed by Apple for facilitating the initial acquisition of new customers through the App Store, asserting that these fees exceeded what was necessary for such compensation.

A Commission official stated, "We will evaluate Apple's eventual modifications to compliance measures, considering feedback from the market, particularly from developers."

The accusation directed at Apple marks the inaugural enforcement action by the Commission under the significant Digital Markets Act, which aims to curtail the influence of major technology companies. Violations of the DMA could lead to penalties amounting to as much as 10% of a company's total global annual revenue.