After Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney and Spotify CEO Daniel Ek, Microsoft has also criticized Apple App Store changes in the EU, calling those “a step in the wrong direction.”
The new App Store changes, announced ahead of the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA) in March, will require developers using third-party app stores to pay 0.50 euros for each annual app install after 1 million downloads.
Apple will also still take a 17 percent commission from the developers who choose to use third-party payment processors.
“We believe constructive conversations drive change and progress towards open platforms and greater competition,” said Microsoft Xbox president Sarah Bond in a post on X.
“Apple’s new policy is a step in the wrong direction. We hope they listen to feedback on their proposed plan and work towards a more inclusive future for all,” she added.
Bond is responsible for overseeing all of Microsoft’s Xbox platform and hardware work. Epic CEO Sweeney has labeled Apple’s App Store changes as “hot garbage,” and said that “Apple’s plan to thwart Europe’s new Digital Markets Act law is a devious new instance of Malicious Compliance.”
X owner Elon Musk said these changes are “very concerning”.
