Apple rolled out iOS 17.4 (and iPadOS 17.4) yesterday, aligning with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) newly implemented in the EU. Despite Apple’s compliance, there seems to be some resistance evident in their press releases.
This sentiment carries on in a recent support document that explains the consequences for EU citizens accessing third-party app stores outside the EU for an extended period. In such cases, access to the third-party app store is restricted.
The exact duration of being “too long” outside the EU is unspecified. However, there is a provision for short-term travel where access to alternative app marketplaces is allowed for a grace period. A gesture of goodwill from Apple, perhaps?
In the scenario where you find yourself outside the EU for an extended period, you won’t be able to download additional third-party app stores or receive updates for apps installed from these stores. The apps will function normally, unless the developer requires you to update to the latest version.
All of these restrictions stem from the requirement to be physically present in the EU to utilize the new features mandated by the DMA. Additionally, your Apple ID must be associated with an EU country. Apple claims to protect your privacy by not tracking your device’s location, determining eligibility through on-device processing.
