Apple will allow alternative app stores to be used on its devices purchased in the EU from March, Ednews reports. Currently, anyone with an iPhone can only download apps from the firm's own App Store.
Apple has always maintained that its rules protect users' security. But it has been accused of creating a monopoly, giving customers and developers no choice but to go through its own channels, and charging developers up to 30% commission. It has meant that developers who either fail to meet Apple's standards for being on the App Store, or do not wish to pay its fees, are excluded from the millions of people who use Apple gadgets.
The move comes as the EU's Digital Markets Act comes into effect. The aim of the new law is to regulate the largest companies that are gatekeepers to services such as search engines and app stores to make the market fairer for established companies and smaller firms.