Apple was recently denied an appeal in the Apple vs Epic trial, and now Apple is making some significant changes to the App Store in the USA to comply with the original ruling from 2021. Apple will now allow alternative purchase links in the App Store, marking a substantial shift in its long-standing policies.
Background of the Apple vs Epic Trial
The Apple vs Epic trial has been a landmark case in the tech industry, drawing attention to the power dynamics between platform owners and developers. Epic Games, the creator of the popular game Fortnite, challenged Apple’s policy of mandating the use of its in-app purchase system, which includes a 30% commission on sales. The court’s ruling in 2021 favored Epic in certain aspects, leading to the current changes Apple is implementing.
Previously, any sign-ups for services or purchases had to be conducted through Apple and their App Store. Developers were restricted to using Apple’s payment method exclusively, which many argued stifled competition and innovation. Now, Apple is allowing external links as payment methods, providing developers with more flexibility and potentially reducing costs for consumers.
In addition to using Apple’s convenient, safe, and secure in-app purchase system, apps on the App Store in the United States that offer in-app purchases can also use the StoreKit External Purchase Link Entitlement (US) to include a link to the developer’s website that informs users of other ways to purchase digital goods or services. To use the entitlement, you’ll need to submit a request, enable the entitlement in Xcode, and use the required StoreKit APIs. Apple will review your app to ensure it complies with the terms and conditions of the entitlement, as well as the App Store Review Guidelines and the Apple Developer Program License Agreement.
Implications for Developers and Consumers
This change is expected to have wide-ranging implications for both developers and consumers. For developers, the ability to use external purchase links means they can now direct users to their own websites for transactions, potentially avoiding Apple’s commission fees. This could lead to lower prices for consumers, as developers might pass on some of the savings.
However, Apple has indicated that it will still charge developers a commission, although the exact mechanism for this is not yet clear. This has raised questions about how Apple will enforce these charges and what impact it will have on the overall ecosystem. Some speculate that Apple might implement tracking mechanisms to monitor external transactions, while others believe the company might introduce a flat fee or a different commission structure.
For consumers, this change could mean more choices and potentially lower costs. They might find alternative payment methods that offer better deals or more convenient options. However, it also introduces the need for consumers to be more vigilant about the security of their transactions, as not all external payment methods may offer the same level of protection as Apple’s in-app purchase system.
You can find out more details about the changes coming to the Apple App Store and the payment options that will be available over at Apple’s developer website at the link below. Apple will apparently still charge developers a commission, although exactly how this will be done is not known as yet.
Source Apple, 9 to 5 Mac
Image Credit: James Yarema
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