Apple Demands Cut Of Outside Payment Options For Apps That Employ Them

Apple

Absolutely stunned.

You might not have noticed it, but the big Apple vs. Epic case was resolved recently. While much of the petitions were discarded, one stuck: Apple now has to allow outside payment options for apps on their store. And, Apple being Apple, they plan to do so in the most Apple way possible.

By requiring a 27% cut of those transactions.

Outside purchases could be pretty much anything you imagine in relation to the app store. Say, ebooks from rival platforms, in-game points, music. Notably, this also includes purchases from a developer or artist’s personal site; something that was previously forbidden by Apple. The courts basically told Apple to cut it out with the whole “anti-steering” thing.

And so they’ve followed the letter of the ruling, though not the spirit thereof. If you wish to link to such an outside store, you have to apply for an “entitlement” to do so. Said link must also conform to their style guidelines, as well as be on a separate page from the regular in-app purchases, which are required.

Oh, and don’t forget that they’re demanding 27% of those out-of-app purchases, too. And they plan to get theirs. Because another requirement of using this “entitlement” is that the developer must send them a monthly sales report, pay on time or face an increasing 1% per month interest fee, and agree to be audited by them at any time. Developers are also responsible for their own credit card transaction fees, and are required to collect their own sales tax. They very clearly want people to stick to the comparatively less frustrating walled garden.

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If this seems like déjà vu, you shouldn’t be surprised. This is roughly the exact same thing the company did when Dutch regulators required them to allow alternate payment systems for dating apps. This has managed to piss off many, including those that have spent a lifetime in Apple’s corner. People such as Apple-focused tech blogger John Gruber, who said this of their “compliance” with the ruling on his Daring Fireball site:

And it makes that walled garden look inviting by comparison. What could be easier than letting Apple handle all of the Tax-related issues, credit card processing, and exchange rates? While it’s nothing unusual for other platforms (Steam takes a 30% cut, but offers an insane amount of benefit in return, much in excess of Apple), the problem might be more along the lines of the fact that Apple rules it with an iron fist. If they don’t like something, it doesn’t happen, or isn’t allowed in the garden.

The sad thing is, very stupid people have turned Apple into a luxury brand, rather than the (in my opinion shitty) tech and service brand they currently are. I guess you get what you ask for; shame so many developers have to suffer for it.

Source: Lifewire

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B. Simmons

Based out of Glendale California, Bryan is a GAMbIT's resident gaming contributor. Specializing in PC and portable gaming, you can find Bryan on his 3DS playing Monster Hunter or at one of the various conventions throughout the state.

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