Key Points:
- Leadership Shift: App Store VP Matt Fischer leaves Apple, triggering a leadership transition.
- New Structure: Apple reorganizes its App Store into two teams to adapt to regulatory changes.
- EU Compliance: The changes align with new EU laws, supporting alternative app distribution.
Apple is undergoing significant changes within its App Store division as it adapts to new regulatory requirements. Matt Fischer, the vice president of the App Store, is stepping down from his role as the company restructures its app distribution strategies.
Apple is dividing its App Store operations into two separate teams. One team will continue managing the traditional App Store, while the other will focus on alternative app distribution methods. This move comes in response to the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, which now requires Apple to allow iOS app downloads from alternative app stores and websites within the EU.
To ensure ongoing compliance with these EU regulations, Phil Schiller, the head of the App Store, is making adjustments to the department’s hierarchy. Matt Fischer, who has been with Apple since 2003 and has led the App Store since 2010, announced in an internal email that the timing of the reorganization made this the right moment for his departure.
In the wake of Fischer’s exit, Carson Oliver, a senior director, will take charge of the traditional App Store. Meanwhile, Ann Thai, a director currently responsible for App Store features, will lead the team overseeing alternative app distribution channels.
These changes are expected to help Apple better navigate the evolving regulatory landscape while continuing to serve its vast user base.
