Apple's iOS 17.4 Update Spurs Firefox, Brave User Surge In EU: 'There Is A Lot Of Room For Improvement...'

Apple Inc.’s AAPL iOS 17.4 update, in compliance with the EU’s Digital Markets Act or DMA, has led to a significant surge in users for Mozilla Firefox and Brave browsers in the EU.

What Happened: According to Firefox spokesperson Christopher Hilton, after Apple’s iOS 17.4 update, Firefox saw a more than 50% rise in users in Germany and a nearly 30% increase in France, reported The Verge on Thursday.

Hilton acknowledged the increase and expressed optimism about the recent changes, stating, “Despite less than ideal compliance, the recent implementation of the browser choice screen is a promising step toward true competition online in the EU.”

“Still, there is a lot of room for improvement, and we'll continue to fight for a web that puts people over profits, prioritizes privacy and is open and accessible to all,” the Firefox spokesperson stated.

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On Wednesday, Brave, another browser developed by Brave Software, Inc. also witnessed a similar surge in users after Apple allowed users to select their default browsers on iOS 17.4 in the EU.

Monopoly defenders argue that the monopolies simply offer better products.

But as you can see, when consumers get a clear choice of iOS browsers, they're choosing alternatives to Safari.

Maybe that's why Google still hasn't implemented a browser choice screen on Android.

— Brave Software (@brave) March 12, 2024

Why It Matters: The iOS 17.4 update, which was rolled out in March, introduced several changes to the App Store and app functionality within the EU. These changes included alternative app marketplaces, different payment systems, third-party browser engine support, and NFC access for banks and payment providers.

The features were exclusive to the EU and were not made available in other regions.

Apple’s iOS 17.4 update was a significant move to comply with the DMA, which requires large digital platforms to allow more interoperability and avoid favoring their own digital services. The update particularly impacted Apple’s core platform services, including the iOS operating system, Safari web browser, and App Store.

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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of Benzinga Neuro and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Photo courtesy: Mozilla