To comply with the Mobile Software Competition Act (MSCA), Apple has announced a set of major changes to the App Store and iPhone in Japan. The changes include new app distribution options for developers and new alternative payment rules for the App Store.
Apple announced the changes in a post on Apple Newsroom today and on its developer website. The company says that Japan’s “MSCA’s requirements for alternative app marketplaces and app payments open new avenues for malware, fraud and scams, and privacy and security risks.” Nonetheless, the company has collaborated with Japanese regulators to strike as best a balance as possible to comply with the law and protect users.
App distribution in Japan
First, Apple has changes for app distribution in Japan. The company says that developers can now distribute their apps using alternative app marketplaces other than the App Store.
Apple will conduct the baseline Notarization review on all apps, which “focuses on basic functionality and protecting users from serious threats.” Notarization combines a series of automated checks and human review to ensure apps work as promised and don’t contain malware, viruses or other security threats.
New payment options
There are also changes to payment options on the App Store as part of this update.
Developers can keep using Apple In-App Purchase (IAP) with no changes required.
Apple is also allowing developers alternative payment options for digital goods/services inside iOS apps in Japan. Developers can: Offer digital goods and services for purchase within your app using an alternative payment processor. Link users out to offers/promotions outside the app via actionable links that open in a web browser for purchase.
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