Apple has finally kept its word. The manufacturer will allow certain developers to offer a link to their websites in their applications, in order to allow users to create or manage their account… without going through the services of the App Store.
This decision is the result of an agreement reached last September with the Japanese Trade Commission (JFTC). But alas, it only concerns apps that fall into the Reader category (apps for reading newspapers, magazines or books, listening to music or watching videos). However, this category includes important titles like Kobo, Kindle, Spotify or Netflix.
However, developers of such applications cannot directly include a link in their software. They must first apply for access to the program External Link Account Entitlement from Apple. In addition, they must display a warning that specifies that the user is going to an external site, whose transactions are not managed by Apple.
They should also include a link to an apple page which explains the risks of transmitting information to a third-party site. The manufacturer also imposes other constraints: the site cannot be opened within the application, but via the browser, the link must not transmit any parameters and the application must not indicate prices for purchases made. on the website. In short, it will be a simple link to an external site, which is ultimately very limited. And if in-app purchases are included, Apple will collect its commission as usual.
Integrated payment in dating apps in the Netherlands
The manufacturer has also loosened the screw for payments in dating apps. But this opening concerns only the Netherlands. Indeed, Apple must obey the order of the Dutch competition authority (ACM). The manufacturer appealed the decision, but has already been fined 50 million euros for failing to comply.
Apple has also updated its information pages and indicates that developers will no longer have to provide a separate binary module for the Netherlands. The app may therefore include a payment system other than that of the App Store, but this function will not be available in other countries. Additionally, developers will need to make it clear to users that the payment system is not managed by Apple, as well as the risks of going through a third party.
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In addition, the gain for developers will be rather small, since Apple will take a 27% commission on payment for purchases. In addition, the developers will have to collect the various taxes and send Apple a detailed report of the various sales.
In short, Apple’s advances are timid and only concern certain apps, or even certain countries. The manufacturer is doing everything to keep the goose that lays the golden eggs that is the App Store, which would have brought in more than 70 billion in revenue in 2021.