Apple Prevents EU iPhone Downloads of iTorrent App, Revokes Developer Rights
Apple has moved to block downloads of the iTorrent app for iPhones within the European Union. The action targets developer Daniil Vinogradov, known as XITRIX, whose app was a popular BitTorrent client. It was distributed through the AltStore PAL, one of the more prominent third-party iOS app stores made possible by new EU regulations.
The tech giant revoked the developer’s certificate that granted him the ability to distribute apps on these alternative marketplaces. This is a significant move because, while Apple has a long-standing policy of banning torrent clients from its official App Store globally, the EU’s Digital Markets Act compels the company to allow users to install apps from third-party stores. This raises questions about the boundaries of Apple’s control in the new regulatory environment.
The precise reason for Apple’s revocation of XITRIX’s distribution rights remains unclear. According to reports, the developer stated that Apple never directly contacted him to explain the decision. He expressed confusion, saying that the company’s responses to his inquiries have been nonsensical and that he does not know if the issue was due to a mistake on his part or on Apple’s.
The situation is also causing complications for the AltStore PAL platform. Shane Gill, a co-founder of AltStore, confirmed that his team is in communication with Apple regarding the takedown. However, he noted that their requests for a clear justification have so far yielded no specific information from the iPhone maker. Apple has only provided generic messages about app store issues in its communications.
This incident highlights the ongoing tension between Apple’s desire to maintain a tightly controlled ecosystem and the new obligations imposed by the Digital Markets Act. The regulation is designed to open up digital markets and provide more choices for consumers and developers. The removal of a popular app from a third-party store, without a publicly stated and clear reason, is being watched closely as an early test case of how Apple will implement and comply with the new rules in the EU. The developer and the app store platform are now waiting for a more detailed explanation from Apple.
