March 2024

iOS EU browser choice screens

In March 2024, Apple rolled out browser choice screens and alternative engine rules in the EU under the Digital Markets Act — letting users pick default browsers beyond SafariApple's web browser — built on WebKit for macOS, iOS, and iPadOS..

What it was for

European UnionFor the first time, iPhoneApple's smartphone line — touch-first mobile computing and the App Store ecosystem since 2007. users in the EU could set ChromeGoogle's web browser — built on Chromium and the most widely used browser worldwide., FirefoxMozilla's open-source browser — championed web standards and challenged Internet Explorer's dominance., or Brave as default and download browsers from outside the App StoreApple's marketplace for iOS apps — centralized distribution and in-app purchases on iPhone.'s SafariApple's web browser — built on WebKit for macOS, iOS, and iPadOS. wrapper rules. The DMA forced platform owners to treat browsers as competitive products, not bundled OSOperating system — software that manages hardware and provides services to applications. features.

Companies

  • Apple

Why it's here

regulationGovernment rules governing technology — privacy, competition, safety, and export controls. reopened mobile browser competition on the world's most locked-down platform.

Why it mattered

It challenged Apple's control over which engines and browsers iOSApple's mobile operating system — runs iPhone and iPad with a sandboxed app ecosystem. users can run.

What it solved

iOSApple's mobile operating system — runs iPhone and iPad with a sandboxed app ecosystem. users in Europe had no real default-browser choice despite multiple browsers in the App StoreApple's marketplace for iOS apps — centralized distribution and in-app purchases on iPhone..

Media

  • European Union
    ImageEuropean Union

    User:Verdy p, User:-xfi-, User:Paddu, User:Nightstallion, User:Funakoshi, User:Jeltz, User:Dbenbenn, User:Zscout370, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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