Apple has released a set of data necessary for app stores used in Europe to comply with the Digital Services Act. This data shows the monthly active users of the iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, macOS and tvOS app stores in Europe.
According to the data, an average of 101 million users visit the iOS App Store every month in Europe. This is followed by iPadOS (23 million), macOS (6 million), tvOS (1 million), and watchOS (less than 1 million). Also, Apple adds that its Podcast paid subscriptions and Apple Books are used by less than 1 million users.
Apple’s App Store is one of the 17 Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) selected by the European Commission. These platforms have to follow stricter rules, including strong minors protection, more user authorization and more rigorous content moderation. All designated VLOPs must comply with the new rules within the next four months.
Online platforms with an average of 45 million or more monthly users are considered VLOPs. Apple says it sees “each version of the App Store as a separate online platform under the DSA.” That’s why the iOS App Store alone, which has more than 45 million MAUs, qualifies as VLOP.
Additionally, the company says it will voluntarily align all existing versions of the App Store with Digital Services Act requirements, including those that do not currently meet the regulatory criteria to be designated as VLOP.
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