Apple is set to offer European Union users more browser and app choice as it works to comply with digital markets laws.
These changes will apply to iOS and iPadOS users in the EU and will come into effect by the end of the year, the company announced in an update on Thursday (August 22).
One of the changes concerns the browser choice screen, where, according to the update, Apple will now show more information about the browser to users who view the choice screen. The updated screen will be shown to all EU users who have Apple's Safari browser set as their default browser. Additionally, browser developers will have access to more data about the performance of the choice screen.
Another change, according to the update, is the introduction of a new Default Apps section in Settings that lists the defaults available to each user, which will be included in iOS 18 and iPadOS 18. A future software update will add new default settings for dialing phone numbers, sending messages, translating text, navigation, managing passwords, the keyboard, and call spam filters.
In the third change announced on Thursday, the update will allow EU users to remove five Apple apps: App Store, Messages, Photos, Camera and Safari.
“These updates arise out of our ongoing dialogue with the European Commission about complying with the requirements of the Digital Markets Act in these areas,” Apple said in the update.
Big tech companies have been struggling to comply with a set of new regulations that came into force in March under the Digital Markets Act, which aims to promote competition in the digital economy, PYMNTS reported at the time.
Apple's latest changes come a day after it was reported that the company is restructuring its App Store to comply with global regulations, which will reportedly split the App Store into two teams, one to oversee Apple's own App Store and one to focus on alternative app distribution.
The Digital Markets Act also brings other changes to mobile commerce, gaming, app developers and fee structures.