Apple says it will allow iPhone users in the 27 European Union countries to download applications from outside of its App Store starting in March. The move is to comply with a new EU law to regulate IT giants.

The major policy change came as the EU fully enforces the Digital Markets Act in March to ensure fair competition. Apple has prevented the use of third-party app stores, citing fraud and privacy concerns.

But it now says it will also allow app developers to use alternative settlement methods to charge users.

The dominance of IT giants over smartphone apps and operation systems has been seen as a problem in many countries, as it increases costs on third-party developers.

The Japanese government is also planning to establish a law that cracks down on monopolies in the field.