Pluralistic: Predistribution vs redistribution (Big Tech edition) (10 Jan 2026)

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://pluralistic.net/2026/01/10/markets-are-regulations/

Hold onto your app stores, folks! The EU is eyeing Apple Maps and Ads for 'gatekeeper' designation under the DMA. Apple says, "Who, us? We're tiny!" while simultaneously dominating. Classic.

Do these regulations actually promote competition, or just give legal teams more billable hours? Discuss!
#Apple #EUDMA #TechNews #Regulation #BigTech
Link: https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/the-eu-says-apple-maps-may-be-big-enough-to-be-considered-a-dma-gatekeeper-130000965.html?src=rss

I still think @EUCommission 's #fines are not a real "#penalty"!

• Banning #Apple and/or jailing it's C-level in contempt until they comply would be.

After all, if I were to do the same shit [hypothetically, as a small and/or domestic business in the #EU] I'd soon face a judge dismantling my business as a "criminal enterprise" and stripping it for assets to pay damages, alongside confiscating any profits made.

• €500M sounds like a lot, but a #TrillionDollarCompany like Apple will just file these as "#losses" or "#OperationalCosts" in their #taxes and thus reduce their already low #tax bill even more.

Remember: If the penalty for a crime is a fine it's only illegal for the poor!

#GAFAMs #Justice #EUpol #USpol #DigitalMarketsAct #DMA #EUDMA #EU #EUcomission #fine #crime #competition #compliance

Source: https://x.com/UTMapp/status/1799647652134654045

From [email protected]:

After almost two month long review process, Apple has rejected UTM SE from the iOS App Store as well as from notarization for third party app stores. Their reasoning is that rule 4.7 which Apple recently introduced that allows for Delta, PPSSPP, and other emulators to be allowed does NOT apply to UTM SE. The App Store Review Board determined that "PC is not a console" regardless of the fact that there are retro Windows/ DOS games for the PC that UTM SE can be useful in running. Additionally, Apple's stance is that UTM SE is not allowed on third party marketplaces either because rule 4.7 also applies to Notarization Review Guidelines.

We will adhere by Apple's content and policy decision because we believe UTM SE (which does not have JIT) is a subpar experience and isn't worth fighting for (see https://oatmealdome.me/blog/why-dolphin-isnt-coming-to-the-app-store/). We do not wish to invest any additional time or effort trying to get UTM SE in the App Store or third party stores unless Apple changes their stance.

I'm not too surprised that Apple rejected this for their app store, but the fact that they won't allow this in the third party market place is an abuse of power...

Update #1
It's weird that Apple says that rule 4.7 applies to third party marketplaces, since it does not have the key icon.

https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/#third-party-software

Update #2

Source: https://x.com/UTMapp/status/1800168874840895921

From [email protected]:

Update: Apple has reached out and clarified that the notarization was rejected under rule 2.5.2 and that 4.7 is an exception that only applies to App Store apps (but which UTM SE does not qualify for).

This makes more sense to why UTM SE was rejected (for third party marketplaces), but I still think this is an abuse of power

For context, here is what rule 2.5.2 says:

[2.5.2] 🔑 Apps should be self-contained in their bundles, and may not read or write data outside the designated container area, nor may they download, install, or execute code which introduces or changes features or functionality of the app, including other apps. Educational apps designed to teach, develop, or allow students to test executable code may, in limited circumstances, download code provided that such code is not used for other purposes. Such apps must make the source code provided by the app completely viewable and editable by the user.

https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/#software-requirements

#iOS #eudma #dma #utm

OS 17.4 pozwala na instalacje aplikacji z alternatywnych źródeł lub spoza App Store wyłącznie na terenie Unii Europejskiej. Pierwszym z nowych sklepów ma być popularny AltStore. #EUDMA #AltStore #technologia #technology

https://techlove.pl/blog/2024/03/10/altstore-pierwszym-z-alternatywnych-zrodel-aplikacji/