Apple App Store executive leaves company, App Store to be split up in response to EU regulations



With

the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which requires big tech companies to be open and fair, coming into force in the EU, Apple is being forced to take measures such as allowing third-party alternative app stores and sideloading only within the EU. It has been reported that a senior executive in charge of the App Store has announced his departure from Apple, citing 'the timing is right as we are reorganizing our team,' making rumors that Apple's App Store division will be split up into two.

Matt Fischer on LinkedIn: I have some professional news to share and sent out this message to Apple… | 98 Comments
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7232128201488003073/



Apple's App Store Head to Leave in Reorganization Amid Global Scrutiny - Bloomberg
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-08-21/apple-s-app-store-head-to-leave-in-reorganization-amid-global-scrutiny

App Store VP Departs as Apple Prepares for Organizational Changes - MacRumors
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/08/21/app-store-organizational-changes/

Apple is shaking up how it manages the App Store - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/21/24225566/apple-app-store-matt-fischer-stepping-down

The App Store has not allowed sideloading for security reasons, but it has been under pressure from developers and regulators, and the EU and Japan have called for rectification, arguing that not allowing sideloading could lead to a loss of market competitiveness.

Subsequently, following the implementation of the DMA within the EU, Apple will allow the distribution of iOS apps outside the App Store and payments outside the App Store in January 2024.

Apple allows sideloading and payments outside the App Store in the EU following the Digital Markets Act, but tougher conditions and new fees are added - GIGAZINE



In addition, Apple is splitting its App Store into one for the EU and one for the rest of the world to accommodate continued compliance with EU regulations on app distribution and alternative payment methods. The possibility of splitting the App Store was reported in January 2024.

The possibility that Apple may split the App Store to prevent 'sideloading' of apps installed on iPhones from sources other than the App Store has emerged - GIGAZINE



Meanwhile, Matt Fischer, vice president of the App Store business since 2010, announced his retirement on LinkedIn. Fischer said, 'After 21 years at Apple, I have decided to leave this great company. My decision to leave Apple has been on my radar for some time, and as we reorganize our team to better manage new challenges and opportunities, I believe now is the right time to hand the baton to two outstanding leaders on my team, Carson Oliver and An Tai.'

Fisher, who joined Apple in 2003, has been involved in the launch of the iTunes Music Store and the operation of the App Store since 2008. Fisher and his team have expanded the App Store to iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro, and in recent years have been involved in the launch of Apple Arcade, which was launched in 2019. They are one of the key players in leading the App Store into a huge platform that will generate $1 trillion in sales by 2022. Fisher said, 'Running the App Store's global business and working with our amazing team and Apple's developer community for the past 15 years has been the highlight of my career.'

'During my nearly 20 years at Apple, I had the opportunity to work alongside some truly inspiring leaders, including Steve Jobs, Tim Cook, Eddy Cue and Phil Schiller, and I am deeply grateful for the knowledge, support and mentorship they gave me,' said Fisher. 'I also want to thank my incredible colleagues for their dedication to our customers, developers and teams.'

He also commented on his future plans, saying, 'Oliver and Ty will lead the team from now on, and I will support the team's transition until mid-October 2024. After that, I plan to take some time off to make memories with my family and explore new opportunities.'

Fisher did not reveal how Oliver and Tai plan to take on the role, but Bloomberg reports that 'Oliver, who has served as Apple's senior director for many years, will lead the App Store operations team outside the EU, while Tai, the director who has previously been in charge of the App Store's search function, will be in charge of running the App Store within the EU.'

Apple declined to comment on the series of developments surrounding the App Store split.

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