Won't Have Any Difference: Mark Zuckerberg On Why Meta Won't Launch Its Own App Store For iPhones

After Spotify and Epic Games, Meta has also joined the list of companies criticising Apple's new regulations on allowing third-party app stores on its own App Store in Europe.

Zuckerberg said that the way Apple has implemented EU DMA, he will be very surprised if any developer chose to go into the alternative app stores that they have.

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Apple's announcement to allow third-party app stores on its own App Store in Europe, as part of the changes made due to European Union’s regulations, is set to commence on March 7. Meta has recently confirmed that it does not plan to launch an app store for iPhones. Facebook-parent Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, recently gave a reason behind this during the fourth-quarter earnings call and said that it won't matter as it is going to have zero difference. 

Zuckerberg said that the way Apple implemented new policies, it won’t matter for the company as it is not going to make any difference whatsoever. He said, “I don’t think that the Apple thing is going to have any difference for us. Because I think that the way they have implemented it, I would be very surprised if any developer chose to go into the alternative app stores that they have. They’ve made it so onerous, and I think so at odds with the intent of what the EU regulation was, that I think it’s just going to be very difficult for anyone, including ourselves, to really seriously entertain what they’re doing there.”

Apple and Google have reiterated multiple times that sideloading is a security threat for iPhones and Android smartphones, however, the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) has forced the companies to open up the iPhone in the region. In response to this, Apple made changes in the policy but also introduced a fee that is said to impact the business model of free apps like Meta’s if they are distributed outside of the App Store.

Giants Standing Against Apple's New Fees

Meta is not the only company which is against these changes. Music-streaming giant Spotify and Epic Games also criticised Apple’s new policies. Spotify CEO termed Apple’s approach to sideloading as 'hot garbage' and Epic Games CEO termed it as 'a new low'. 

Several other companies have also criticised Apple for this move.