Overview
- Seven IT‑related industry groups representing more than 600 companies issued a joint statement calling the new off‑App Store and external payment commissions “not a viable option.”
- The groups asked the Japan Fair Trade Commission to re‑examine enforcement of the Mobile Software Competition Act as Apple and Google maintain fees on alternative distribution and payments.
- Apple’s December changes for Japan permit links to off‑app promotions and alternative in‑app payment methods, paired with new charges that include up to 15% on web transactions and variable 5%–21% service fees.
- Developers argue that, once credit‑card processing is added, the alternative options can match or exceed the cost of Apple’s built‑in system, and similar complaints have been raised in the EU.
- Apple has defended the commissions as the cost of doing business, while some developers cite the U.S. Epic v. Apple injunction allowing external payments without a commission, a ruling that remains under appeal.