Apple is turning its App Store policy in the EU into a last-minute attempt to avoid a series of escalating fines from Brussels.
The $ 3 trillion iPhone maker will allow developers in the block to offer apps designed for the iOS operating system in places other than Apple's App Store, the company said.
Apple has been negotiating with the European Commission for two months after a fine of € 500 million for violating the EU's Digital Markets Act, the historical legislation designed to limit the power of large technical groups.
Throughout the entire process, Apple accused the committee of moving the goals about what the company should do to comply with the EU digital control book.
Apple announced the measures on Thursday, the deadline for the company to comply with the rules of the block to prevent new taxes. The financial fines can escalate over time and achieve up to 5 percent of the average daily global turnover.
Nevertheless, an Apple spokesperson said “the European Commission requires that Apple is making a series of extra changes to the App Store. We do not agree with this result and intend to appeal.”
In a response to the changes, a spokesperson for the European Commission said that “the committee will now assess these new business conditions for DMA compliance.”
The spokesperson added that “the committee finds it particularly important to obtain the views of market operators and interested third parties before they decide on the following steps.”
The decision about the new fines under the Digital Markets Act comes as Brussels and Washington near a deadline of 9 July to agree on a trade agreement.
The EU rules for Big Tech are a flash point between Brussels and US President Donald Trump. But the leaders of the committee have indicated that they would not change their control book as part of trade negotiations with the US.
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