Remove Apple AppStore Rule 2.5.6 - Banning third-party browsers from the AppStore from porting their own browser engines or modifying WebKit

[JamesMooreOWA]

Description

Apple currently bans third-party browsers on the Apple AppStore from either porting their own browser engine or modifying WebKit.

We write about this extensively in our paper “Bringing Competition to Walled Gardens”.

They do this by rule 2.5.6 of the Apple AppStore Guidelines:
“2.5.6 Apps that browse the web must use the appropriate WebKit framework and WebKit Javascript.”

This means that browser vendors are unable to port their existing browsers and must instead build a new browser around the WkWebView that Apple ships with their operating systems. Apple has exclusive control over this WebView and its functionality, setting a ceiling on browser functionality for browsers distributed via the Apple AppStore.

As an example, caniuse.com does not have separate categories for other browsers on iOS as it is either impossible or extremely hard for third party browsers on iOS to safely and effectively provide web features that are not available via the WkWebView.

Due to the inability of browser vendors to significantly differentiate their browser or to port their existing browsers, this is effectively a ban on third party browsers being distributed via the Apple AppStore.

Note, the Apple AppStore is available on the following devices: iPhone, iPad, Macbook, Mac mini, iMac, Mac Studio, Apple Watch, Apple TV.

Outcome

Apple must remove rule 2.5.6 from the Apple AppStore Guidelines in all jurisdictions and not introduce new rules that achieve the same result.