Inside the Apple DMA Workshop: Why Small Developers Like Us Are Deeply Concerned About the Future of Trust in the App Store
In late June, I had the opportunity to join the European Commission’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) compliance workshop focused on Apple. The event brought together EU regulators, Apple representatives, industry associations, and — thankfully — a handful of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) like mine.
I attended as the founder of vaic.at Software, a small Dutch-Brazilian technology company that creates privacy‑focused, on-device experiences for talent and innovation mobility in the EU. Our products — mEUvy, Salary Insights, and our upcoming Vision Pro app EUorigin — are all built on Apple platforms, where trust, privacy, and security are at the core of the user experience.
The DMA’s stated goal is to make digital markets “fairer and more contestable.” But from where I sit as a small developer, the current compliance path risks having the opposite effect — eroding the very trust that makes innovation possible for companies like mine.
Why the DMA Hits Small Developers Hardest
When the EU forces changes such as mandatory sideloading and web distribution, the ripple effects for small developers are enormous. Before the DMA, if my app was copied or misused, Apple’s App Store tools made it quick to track down and remove infringing versions. Now, with Apple compelled to allow distribution from any website, I face the daunting task of scanning the entire global internet for potential copycats.
For a small team like ours, this isn’t just an annoyance — it’s a drain on time, resources, and focus. Instead of improving our apps and creating new experiences for our users, we’re forced to play digital whack-a-mole against piracy.
A Step Backward for Consumer Trust
The most worrying consequence is what this means for consumer trust. Apple’s integrated approach — where privacy and security are built into the platform — has been central to our ability to reach customers. Users know that apps on the App Store have passed a rigorous review process.
But with sideloading and fragmented distribution channels, bad actors have new opportunities to push malware, deceptive clones, and apps that misuse personal data. If users begin to distrust their devices due to bad experiences outside of Apple’s control, they will also become more hesitant to try new apps from small developers like us.
Ironically, this takes us back to the chaotic pre‑App Store era of the early 2000s, when users were reluctant to experiment with software from unknown developers because of rampant security risks. In such an environment, big, well-known companies win — not the innovative SMEs the DMA claims to protect.
Locked Out of Innovation
Another overlooked issue is how these regulatory changes impact access to new tools. Already, many of Apple’s most exciting innovations — like Apple Intelligence and iPhone Mirroring — are launching in the US first, while EU versions are delayed, watered down, or withheld entirely.
That means European developers are starting at a disadvantage, competing with US developers who have earlier access to the latest capabilities. The DMA, rather than leveling the playing field, risks widening the gap.
Speaking Up Before It’s Too Late
Joining this workshop — thanks in large part to ACT | The App Association’s efforts to give SMEs a seat at the table — was an important opportunity to share our reality with EU regulators. I appreciate the Commission’s willingness to hear from us. But I left the workshop with a clear impression: many policymakers still underestimate how damaging these changes can be for trust, innovation, and competitiveness in the EU’s digital economy.
If the EU wants to foster a thriving ecosystem where small developers can compete on quality, creativity, and trust, then it must ensure that security and consumer confidence remain at the heart of platform policy. Without that, the DMA risks being remembered not as a law that empowered SMEs, but as one that made the digital market less safe, less innovative, and less competitive.
💬 “As a small developer, I’ll continue to speak up — for my company, for my users, and for the European app economy. Trust isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s the foundation of everything we do.” – Mitchel Volkering, founder of vaic.at Software.
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