Roman GłogulskiEpic Games has criticized Apple for its limitations on external payments. While Apple has finally allowed the use of external payments on its iOS system, app developers are not pleased. Tim Sweeney, the CEO of Epic Games, strongly criticized the way Apple has implemented this solution. According to him, the restrictions imposed by Apple are evidence of “ill will” on the part of the tech giant.
According to the App Store’s guidelines, developers still have to pay a margin of 27% (or 12% for small businesses) even for external app purchases. Additionally, Apple imposes several restrictions, such as the requirement to place external links in a prominent place on the app’s page in the App Store and the prohibition of displaying purchase information on the developer’s website.
These restrictions not only discourage developers from using external payments but also make it difficult to offer lower prices for users. Sweeney believes that Apple is trying to discourage developers and maintain control over payments in the App Store through these measures.
Apple justifies its decisions as a “fair fee” for the use of its technological infrastructure and the App Store’s user base. The company also argues that collecting fees from each developer would be challenging, if not impossible, due to the large number of developers on the platform.
However, these explanations are not convincing to many. The future of this issue may become the subject of another dispute with the European Commission, which plans to introduce regulations facilitating payments outside the App Store. In the case of non-compliance, Apple may be fined up to 10% of its annual turnover.
FAQ:
1. What changes have been made regarding external payments on the iOS platform?
Apple has allowed the use of external payments on its iOS system. App developers can sell their products outside of the App Store, but they still have to pay Apple a margin.
2. Why is Epic Games criticizing Apple?
Tim Sweeney, the CEO of Epic Games, is criticizing Apple for imposing too many restrictions on developers regarding external payments. According to him, Apple is making it difficult to use this option and is maintaining control over payments in the App Store.
3. What consequences can Apple face for its actions?
If Apple does not comply with regulations regarding payments outside the App Store, the company may be fined up to 10% of its annual turnover.
Source:
9to5Mac – 9to5mac.com
