Huan Qiu Wang Zi Xun·2025-12-11 03:40Core Viewpoint - The European Commission is using Apple's App Store compliance measures as a benchmark to evaluate Google's App Store compliance, with potential hefty fines for Google by Q1 2025 if it fails to meet standards [1][4]. Group 1: Regulatory Context - The regulatory developments stem from the implementation of the Digital Markets Act, which led to a €500 million fine imposed on Apple earlier this year for violations [4]. - Apple's comprehensive App Store reform plan has become an "invisible benchmark" for regulatory compliance in the industry, despite not being officially recognized by the EU [4]. Group 2: Google's Compliance Measures - Google's reform measures announced in August were criticized for being insufficient, as the EU believes they do not meet core requirements such as allowing developers to direct users to third-party payment channels [4]. - Although Google reduced the initial acquisition fee for developers from 10% to 3% and introduced a tiered fee structure, the EU still sees gaps in compliance compared to Apple's approach [4]. Group 3: Implications for the Industry - The EU's stance indicates a shift towards a "benchmarking" phase in app store regulation, with Apple transitioning from a "penalized entity" to a "reference point" for compliance [4]. - This development is expected to accelerate Google's reform process and provide a new direction for global app store compliance reforms, making Google's ability to implement additional measures a key focus in antitrust regulation within the tech industry [4].