According to 9to5Mac, the European Commission is now using Apple’s App Store changes as a benchmark in its ongoing antitrust probe into Google’s Play Store. This follows the EC hitting Apple with a €500 million fine earlier this year under the Digital Markets Act, which Apple is appealing. Sources told Reuters that Google’s Play Store tweaks announced in August, which included cutting an initial fee from 10% to 3% and allowing more external payment options, are still seen as falling short. The EU antitrust regulator is now actively comparing Google’s proposals to Apple’s recent, sweeping App Store framework. A potentially large fine for Google could arrive in the first quarter of next year if it doesn’t offer more concessions.
The EU’s New Benchmark Game
Here’s the thing: this is a massive shift in strategy. For years, Apple and Google were essentially in the same regulatory boat, both being criticized for their walled-garden app store models. But now, one company’s forced compromise is becoming the measuring stick for the other. It’s a bit like the teacher using the first kid who half-fixes their mistake as the example for the whole class. The report says the EU views “Apple’s recent changes to its App Store as a benchmark.” That’s wild when you think about it, because Apple’s changes—with their new core technology fee and complex fee structures—were widely panned by developers as being convoluted and potentially more expensive. But apparently, for the EU, even that messy attempt at compliance is a step ahead of what Google has put on the table so far.
What Google Now Has to Do
So what does this mean for Google? Basically, it can’t just do the bare minimum anymore. Its August changes, which you can read about in its developer update, aren’t cutting it. The EU seems to want a more fundamental reworking of the Play Store’s business model, likely demanding greater freedom for developers to steer users away from Google’s billing and lower overall fees. The pressure is now immense. Reuters notes Google can still offer more changes before a fine is imposed early next year. But the goalposts have moved. They’re no longer just trying to satisfy abstract EU rules; they’re trying to match or exceed what their biggest rival was forced to do. Talk about being in a tough spot.
The Bigger Picture Ramifications
This creates a fascinating precedent, doesn’t it? The DMA was supposed to create a level playing field, but now it’s creating a compliance cascade. Regulators are effectively creating a template from the first major company they seriously pressure. This could speed up future actions against other “gatekeepers.” It also puts both tech giants in a bind. They’re being forced to dismantle lucrative, entrenched systems, and the first one to blink sets the standard for everyone else. For developers and the industry at large, this messy, public tussle might eventually lead to more choice and lower costs. But right now, it’s just a confusing, high-stakes game of regulatory chicken. And you can bet everyone is watching closely, from other tech firms to lawmakers in other regions. Want to follow this saga? Keep an eye on outlets like 9to5Mac on Twitter or their YouTube channel for ongoing analysis.
