Apple loosening more App Store rules
Apple announced more compromises for its App Store. In a deal with the Japan Fair Trade Commission the company said it will allow developers of “reader” apps to include an in-app link to their website for users to set up or manage an account. The compromise is limited as it does not include the gaming sector which is the big money-maker at the store.
The Japanese deal comes just a few days after Apple announced other compromises for the store, including continue taking a 15% commission instead of 30% from smaller developers.
South Korean parliament recently approved a law limiting companies like Apple and Google to force developers to use only the stores’ in-app payment systems.
The dominance of Apple’s and Google’s stores have been a focus in discussions with both developers and politicians criticizing that stores force developers to use in-app payment systems and that the stores take up to 30% commission.
LOOSENING RULES
Apple’s new announcement means loosening rules on its App Store that have banned companies from providing customers a link to create a paid account to bypass Apple’s in-app purchase commissions.
This does not mean that game developers can charge users directly. They would still be forced to use the store’s in-app payment system. A court ruling is expected soon in case where game developer Epic Games on purpose violated this rule and included its own payment system when launching game Fortnight.
SPOTIFY
Spotify, that has initiated an antitrust complaint against Apple with EU competition authorities, issued a statement after Apple’s announcement saying: “”A limited anti-steering fix does not solve all our issues.”
Apple’s announcement came after an agreement with the Japanese authority but the company said it will be valid globally from 2022.
“Apple will apply this change globally to all reader apps on the store. Reader apps provide previously purchased content or content subscriptions for digital magazines, newspapers, books, audio, music, and video”, Apple said in a statement.
“To ensure a safe and seamless user experience, the App Store’s guidelines require developers to sell digital services and subscriptions using Apple’s in-app payment system. Because developers of reader apps do not offer in-app digital goods and services for purchase, Apple agreed with the JFTC to let developers of these apps share a single link to their website to help users set up and manage their account.”
Moonshot News is an independent European news website for all IT, Media and Advertising professionals, powered by women and with a focus on driving the narrative for diversity, inclusion and gender equality in the industry.
Our mission is to provide top and unbiased information for all professionals and to make sure that women get their fair share of voice in the news and in the spotlight!
We produce original content, news articles, a curated calendar of industry events and a database of women IT, Media and Advertising associations.
