Apple keeps opening the App Store’s doors wider. If a few days ago, Apple enabled developers to communicate with customers regarding alternative payment options, it now permits certain applications to include a link to the company’s website to handle accounts.
Only reading applications, in which you can use previously purchased content such as audio, video, music, or periodicals to look up answers, will be affected by this change. That is, it will affect apps like Netflix, Spotify, Amazon Kindle, etc.
Apple will allow a single link in 2022
Until now, app store regulations have prevented developers from including any link or hint to the user that they may join up on their website, avoiding Apple’s 15% or 30% commission on subscriptions and purchases paid through in-app purchases.
Starting next year, after Apple made a policy shift whereby the Japan Fair Trade Commission will drop its inquiry but will apply worldwide, things will be different.
Starting in 2022, Apple will allow “reader” app developers to include a single link to their website so they can manage their accounts and potentially change payment methods outside of the App Store, which are not subject to Apple’s fees.
The ban comes just weeks after South Korea passed a bill that prohibits firms like Google and Apple from forcing app makers to utilize their payment system for integrated purchases. It could not be the last country to do so: The European Commission has already initiated an inquiry, and the US Senate has already introduced similar legislation.
