Apple has rolled out an updated developer license agreement that significantly strengthens the company’s ability to recover unpaid commissions and fees from app developers, effectively positioning the tech giant as a more assertive financial enforcer within its App Store ecosystem.

Released on Wednesday, the revised agreement authorizes Apple to “offset or recoup” any amounts it believes are owed by developers. This includes deducting unpaid sums directly from in-app purchases processed by Apple, such as payments for digital goods, subscriptions, services, or even one-time app download fees.

The changes are particularly relevant in regions where local regulations permit developers to link users to external payment systems. In such markets, developers are required to disclose revenues generated outside Apple’s in-app payment system and remit the applicable commissions or fees. If Apple determines that a developer has underreported earnings, the new terms allow the company to recover the difference using funds already collected on the developer’s behalf.

Apple’s policies governing external payments vary widely by jurisdiction, and the revised agreement could affect developers in the European Union, the United States, and Japan. In the U.S., the legality of Apple’s commission structure remains under legal scrutiny. Earlier this month, a federal appeals court ruled that a lower court should consider allowing Apple to collect partial commissions, though not the full 27 percent fee it previously imposed.

Under the new agreement, Apple states it may recover outstanding amounts “at any time” and “from time to time,” raising the possibility of unexpected deductions if the company believes a developer has miscalculated what is owed. However, the agreement does not clearly outline how Apple will assess whether additional payments are due.

Among the variable charges referenced are commissions, service fees, and taxes. In the EU, this includes the Core Technology Fee (CTF), which currently charges developers €0.50 for each first annual app install exceeding one million within a 12-month period. Apple has announced that, starting January 2026, the CTF will be replaced by a new Core Technology Commission (CTC), a percentage-based model that will apply to apps using external payment options or distributed under alternative EU business terms.

The updated terms also broaden Apple’s collection authority beyond individual developer accounts. The company now reserves the right to recover unpaid amounts from affiliated entities, including parent companies or subsidiaries. In practice, this could allow Apple to deduct funds from a developer’s other apps or from applications published under related corporate accounts.

These financial provisions are outlined in Schedules 2 and 3, section 3.4 of the agreement, which addresses how applications are delivered to end users.

Beyond payment enforcement, the revised agreement introduces additional changes. Apple has added sections covering its age-assurance technology, updated terms for iOS apps distributed in Japan, and new requirements affecting app functionality. Notably, Apple has clarified rules for voice-activated assistants, including AI chatbots launched via the iPhone’s side button, and has reinforced restrictions against recording users without their knowledge.

While Apple is not outright banning audio, video, or screen recordings used for debugging or user support, the agreement specifies that apps must not be designed to facilitate recordings made without user awareness. How strictly this rule will be interpreted and enforced remains unclear.

Apple did not respond to requests for comment prior to publication.

Source: Techcrunch