Facebook becomes the distributor of Android and iOS applications in Europe

Research and reviews about the App Store and Play Store are mainly focused on the monopoly of Apple and Google on the applications downloaded on iOS and Android. Apple has raised the issue of security as its main reason for not allowing sideloading of applications in the App Store. Of course, Google allows Android users to install applications laterally, and most of the installations are done through the Play Store. Sideloading means downloading an application from a third-party store.

Apple says it must monitor all apps offered to iPhone users to make sure they’re free of malware, but EU regulators believe Apple is doing the monitoring to get a 30 percent commission on in-app purchases. Google also charges up to 30% of in-app purchases of apps in the Play Store.

The Verge website reported that Meta, the parent company of Facebook, plans to run a pilot program in the European Union that will allow Facebook subscribers to use apps advertised on Download this social network directly. In this way, iPhone users will not need to install the application through the App Store, and Android users will have another way to download applications. Facebook will not charge fees for in-app purchases, and app developers will be able to use any payment system.

Facebook users will be able to install applications on their iPhone and Android phones with the help of a pilot program in the European Union. Therefore, Facebook will become the distributor of iOS and Android applications in Europe.

Currently, if Facebook users click on an app advertised on the social network, they will be directed to the App Store or Play Store to install that app. But under Facebook’s pilot program, which will begin later this year or early next year, users will be able to tap on an advertised app to install it directly from Facebook. It is also expected that with the implementation of the Digital Markets Act (DMA), Apple will be forced to allow sideloading on the iPhone in the European Union from next spring.

Now we have to wait and see how successful Meta will be in implementing its pilot program.

Source: PhoneAr