Apple faces another EU competition investigation. This is the result of blocking so-called “progressive web applications” or PWAs in iOS 17.4. The change was made by Apple to comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).
Apple is once again the subject of an EU competition investigation. More specifically, this involves investigations into blocking so-called “progressive web applications or PWAs”. These applications bypass Apple’s “mandatory” App Store by providing direct access to a Web version and, thus, do not load through an application on the iPhone. However, there is still a shortcut on the home screen of the smartphone to launch the app quickly.
The first steps in the EU competition investigation are said to have now been taken, and developers are being urged to share their experiences, the Financial Times reports.
WebKit blockade in iOS 17.4
As a result of the DMA the tech giant allows to install other browsers as defaults. Apple ensured that these browsers can no longer use WebKit because it would make them faster than Safari. To this end, the tech giant blocked the WebKit API in iOS 17.4.
Apple confirmed that it has indeed blocked WebKit and thus also PWAs in the EU. With this, the tech giant wants to ensure that end users of the alternative browsers do not face security problems and that the company is still compliant with the DMA.
Critics indicate that Apple’s tries to prevent developers from bypassing Apple’s 30 percent App Store commission for their applications. This measure should also prevent other providers from setting up alternative app stores for iOS applications.
Apple remains in opposition to the DMA
Apple is not commenting on the recent developments surrounding a possible competition investigation and maintains its earlier view that it complies with the DMA’s requirements. The tech giant has been vigorously opposing the EU’s recently introduced DMA laws and regulations for some time.
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