Tags: digital markets act

Apple’s App Store has seen an unprecedented influx of new apps created with AI‑driven “vibe coding” tools, driving an 84% jump in submissions in a single quarter. The surge has stretched Apple’s review process, pushing approval times from a day to up to a month. In response, the company has begun pulling or blocking updates for apps that violate its self‑containment rules, sparking a standoff with the platforms that power the AI‑generated boom. Regulators are watching as the dispute highlights a clash between rapid AI development and existing gatekeeping frameworks. Ler mais

F-Droid has issued a warning that Google’s upcoming developer verification program and stricter sideloading rules threaten the viability of its open‑source Android app repository. The company says the plan would require independent developers to register and possibly pay fees, undermining free distribution of apps. F-Droid is urging regulators in the United States and Europe to scrutinize the changes, citing recent antitrust losses for Google and the need to protect user choice under the Digital Markets Act. The pilot verification program is set to launch soon, with unverified apps slated for restriction in select markets within a year. Ler mais

The European Union has firmly rejected Apple’s request to overturn the Digital Markets Act (DMA), reaffirming its commitment to the legislation that aims to curb big‑tech dominance. EU digital affairs spokesperson Thomas Regnier emphasized that the Commission has “absolutely no intention” of dismantling the DMA, even as Apple continues to criticize the law’s impact on users. The EU has already imposed a substantial fine on Apple for anti‑competitive behavior and is proceeding with public consultations on the DMA. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between regulators and large technology firms over market fairness and consumer protection. Ler mais

The European Union has issued formal information requests to Apple, Google and Microsoft, asking them to detail how they police online financial scams under the Digital Services Act (DSA). Regulators are also probing Booking Holdings over fake accommodation listings, as well as fake banking apps in the Apple App Store and Google Play, and misleading search results on Google and Bing. EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen warned that fraud costs over €4 billion annually across the bloc and that AI is making detection harder. Companies face possible penalties of up to 6 percent of global revenue if they fail to act, following recent fines on Apple, Meta, and Google for related violations. Ler mais