Web apps, essentially webpages added to the home screen for convenient access are no longer available on iPhones in Europe. According to the Financial Times, Apple may face an anti-trust probe after ending iPhone web applications in Europe. The EU has launched inquiries and has contacted Apple as well as app developers for further information to help its deliberations.
European Commission Questions Apple’s Web App Removal
According to Lea Zuber, a spokesperson of the European Commission, “We are indeed checking on the compliance packages of all gatekeepers including Apple. In this context, we particularly look at the progressive web apps and can confirm we have sent a request for information to Apple and app developers who can give us relevant data.”
Apple, replying to questions, referred journalists to its support page outlining reasons for the change. Earlier this month, Apple officially ended support for iPhone web apps in the EU when it released iOS 17.4. Instead of being stand-alone apps with storage capabilities and push notifications features, web apps will now behave more like bookmarks.
This change was prompted by the Digital Markets Act (DMA) by the EU which requires Apple to fully support third-party browser engines beyond Safari’s WebKit. Details revealed by The Verge suggest that Apple has some reservations about the Web Apps.
Apple voiced its concerns about Web Apps
Apple says that the introduction of web app support on other browsers would necessitate building “an altogether new integration architecture”, an impractical work considering other obligations imposed by the DMA. Additionally, ‘very little user adoption’ and security fears are the company’s key concerns emphasizing its decision.
App developers have shown dissent in response to this termination. The Verge points out a survey currently running by Open Web Advocacy (a non-profit organization supporting open web) on how it has affected developers. The organization intends to send them to the European Commission in a joint move meant to address concerns regarding the withdrawal of web apps in Europe.
2024-02-28 15:06:32