It is reported that EU regulators have started an investigation into Apple's ``abolition of PWA on iPhone''

In February 2024, Apple suddenly discontinued PWA support on iOS in the European Union (EU). It has been reported that EU regulators have begun an investigation into Apple's discontinuation of PWA support.

EU seeks to investigate Apple over cutting off web apps
https://www.ft.com/content/d2f7328c-5851-4f16-8f8d-93f0098b6adc

Apple's decision to drop iPhone web apps comes under scrutiny in the EU - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/26/24083511/apple-eu-investigation-web-app-support

In February 2024, it was discovered that support for `` Progressive Web Apps (PWA)'' had been removed in iOS 17.4 beta, the latest beta version of ``iOS'', the iPhone OS provided by Apple. However, since PWA support was removed only for European users, foreign media speculated that ``Europe's Digital Markets Act (DMA) was the cause.''

Apple revealed that it is removing support for PWA in beta version of iOS 17.4 - GIGAZINE

Apple has since officially confirmed that it has removed PWAs to comply with the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA). In order to comply with DMA, Apple allows side-loading via app stores other than the App Store in the EU and payments outside the App Store . In addition, Apple allows browser engines other than Webkit in web browser apps for iOS, and it has been pointed out that this is the main reason for discontinuing PWA support.

Apple admits that it has removed PWA support from iOS, in response to the Digital Markets Act, the impact is limited to users in the EU - GIGAZINE

The financial newspaper Financial Times reported that Apple may be investigated by regulatory authorities over the discontinuation of PWA support in the EU. According to reports, the European Commission (EC), the EU's policy enforcement agency, has sent a request to Apple and app developers to provide the information necessary to evaluate the removal of PWA support.

In response to reports that the EC has launched an investigation into Apple's removal of PWA support, EC spokesperson Lea Zuber said, ``We are looking at the compliance packages of all gatekeepers, including Apple. We confirm that we are specifically looking into the issue of PWAs and have sent information requests to Apple and app developers who have provided us with information that will be helpful in our evaluation,'' he said in a statement to The Verge, an international media outlet. doing.

The Verge has also asked Apple for comment on this matter, but Apple seems to have sent a link to a support page for developers called ``Latest information on apps distributed in the European Union.'' In addition, this support page states that Apple has made changes to iOS, Safari, and App Store to comply with EU DMA.

Update on apps distributed in the European Union - Support - Apple Developer
https://developer.apple.com/jp/support/dma-and-apps-in-the-eu/

Apple claims that supporting PWA will require building a 'completely new unified architecture,' but says, 'Given the other demands of DMA, the idea of building a new unified architecture is realistic.' It wasn't,' he points out. In addition, Apple cited ``very low user adoption rate'' and ``potential security risks'' as reasons for discontinuing PWA support.

However, app developers are against Apple's discontinuation of PWA support, and Open Web Advocacy, a non-profit organization that promotes the open web, is conducting its own investigation and plans to submit its findings to the EC.