Apple lets devs use alternate in-app payment options, still takes commissions

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arial-label="" aria-label="Open text settings dropdown"> <svg class="h-5 w-5 text-gray-300 group-hover:text-green-400" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 40 40"><defs><clipPath id="text-settings-open_svg__a"><path fill="none" stroke-width="0" d="M0 0h40v40H0z"/></clipPath><clipPath id="text-settings-open_svg__b"><path fill="none" stroke-width="0" d="M0 0h40v40H0z"/></clipPath></defs><g clip-path="url(#text-settings-open_svg__a)"><g fill="currentColor" clip-path="url(#text-settings-open_svg__b)"><path d="M26.38 23.2c-.19.21-.28.49-.28.85v.58c0 .4.11.72.34.93.23.22.59.33 1.09.33.42 0 .88-.09 1.37-.27q.735-.27 1.47-.75c.06-.04.11-.09.17-.13v-1.87h-3.23q-.66.015-.93.33"/><path d="M32 0H8C3.58 0 0 3.58 0 8v24.01C0 36.42 3.58 40 8 40h24c4.42 0 8-3.58 8-8V8c0-4.42-3.58-8-8-8M17.88 28.23l-1.23-4.42h-5.77l-1.23 4.42H5.84l4.88-15.77a1.316 1.316 0 0 1 1.28-.97h3.52q.465 0 .81.27c.23.18.39.41.47.7l4.85 15.77h-3.79Zm16.28 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text-gray-350 text-base font-semibold uppercase">Story text</span> </div> <div class="grid grid-cols-3 items-center gap-3 px-5 py-2"> <label class="font-impact w-20 text-base font-semibold uppercase text-gray-100" for="text-settings-size">Size</label> <select name="text-settings-size" class="text-settings-size col-span-2 bg-gray-600 text-sm text-gray-300"> <option value="small">Small</option> <option value="standard" selected>Standard</option> <option value="large">Large</option> </select> <label class="font-impact hidden w-20 text-base font-semibold uppercase text-gray-100 md:block" for="text-settings-width">Width <span class="text-gray-400">*</span> </label> <select name="text-settings-width" class="text-settings-width col-span-2 hidden bg-gray-600 text-sm text-gray-300 md:block"> <option value="standard" selected>Standard</option> <option value="wide">Wide</option> </select> <label class="font-impact w-20 text-base font-semibold uppercase text-gray-100" for="text-settings-links">Links</label> <select name="text-settings-links" class="text-settings-links col-span-2 bg-gray-600 text-sm text-gray-300"> <option value="standard" selected>Standard</option> <option value="orange">Orange</option> </select> <div class="font-impact col-span-3 hidden text-sm font-semibold uppercase text-gray-400 md:block"> <span class="mb-0 italic">* Subscribers only</span><br>   <a href="/store/product/subscriptions/" class="text-green-400">Learn more</a> </div> <button class="font-impact text-settings-position col-span-3 mx-auto my-3 block rounded-sm border-2 border-green-400 px-3 py-1 text-base font-semibold uppercase text-gray-100" value="story"> Pin to story </button> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div x-data="{ open: false, toggle() { if (this.open) { return this.close() } // If we're inside main header, add a data attribute to the header if (this.$el.closest('#site-header')) { this.$el.closest('#site-header').dataset.dropdownOpen = 'true'; } this.open = true }, close() { if (!this.open) { return; } // If we're inside main header, add a data attribute to the header if (this.$el.closest('#site-header')) { this.$el.closest('#site-header').dataset.dropdownOpen = 'false'; } this.open = false } }" @keydown.escape.prevent.stop="close($refs.button)" @focusin.window="! $refs.panel.contains($event.target) && close()" x-id="['dropdown-button']">  <button type="button" x-ref="button" x-on:click=" toggle(); $dispatch('dropdown-opened', { panel: $refs.panel }); " :aria-expanded="open" :aria-controls="$id('dropdown-button')" :class="{ selected: open }" class="group flex items-center group" arial-label="" aria-label="Open Theme selection dropdown"> <span class="sr-only">Theme</span> <span x-data="{ placeholder: true }"> <span class="inline-block h-5 w-5" x-show="placeholder"></span> <span x-show="darkMode" x-cloak x-init="placeholder = false"> <svg class="h-5 w-5 text-yellow-100 group-hover:text-yellow-200" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 38.4 38.4"><defs><clipPath id="theme-dark_svg__a"><path fill="none" d="M0 0h38.4v38.4H0z"/></clipPath><clipPath id="theme-dark_svg__b"><path fill="none" d="M0 0h38.4v38.4H0z"/></clipPath></defs><g clip-path="url(#theme-dark_svg__a)"><g fill="currentColor" clip-path="url(#theme-dark_svg__b)"><path d="M14.5 11.4c0-4.3 1.4-8.2 3.7-11.4C8.8 1.3 1.6 9.3 1.6 19.1s8.6 19.3 19.3 19.3 12.1-3.1 15.6-7.9c-.9.1-1.8.2-2.7.2-10.7 0-19.3-8.6-19.3-19.3m17.8-6.8v2.1c0 .8-.6 1.4-1.4 1.4s-1.4-.6-1.4-1.4V4.6c0-.8.6-1.4 1.4-1.4s1.4.6 1.4 1.4m0 6.8v2.1c0 .8-.6 1.4-1.4 1.4s-1.4-.6-1.4-1.4v-2.1c0-.8.6-1.4 1.4-1.4s1.4.6 1.4 1.4m-5.8-3.7h2.1c.8 0 1.4.6 1.4 1.4s-.6 1.4-1.4 1.4h-2.1c-.8 0-1.4-.6-1.4-1.4s.6-1.4 1.4-1.4m6.8 0h2.1c.8 0 1.4.6 1.4 1.4s-.6 1.4-1.4 1.4h-2.1c-.8 0-1.4-.6-1.4-1.4s.6-1.4 1.4-1.4"/></g></g></svg> </span> <span x-show="!darkMode" x-cloak x-init="placeholder = false"> <svg class="h-5 w-5 text-yellow-400 group-hover:text-yellow-200" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 40 40"><defs><clipPath id="theme-light_svg__a"><path fill="none" d="M0 0h40v40H0z"/></clipPath><clipPath id="theme-light_svg__b"><path fill="none" d="M0 0h40v40H0z"/></clipPath></defs><g clip-path="url(#theme-light_svg__a)"><g fill="currentColor" clip-path="url(#theme-light_svg__b)"><path d="M30 20c0 5.5-4.5 10-10 10s-10-4.5-10-10 4.5-10 10-10 10 4.5 10 10m8.6 1.4h-2.2c-.8 0-1.4-.6-1.4-1.4s.6-1.4 1.4-1.4h2.2c.8 0 1.4.6 1.4 1.4s-.6 1.4-1.4 1.4M34.1 7.9l-1.5 1.5c-.6.6-1.5.6-2 0-.6-.6-.6-1.5 0-2l1.5-1.5c.6-.6 1.5-.6 2 0 .6.6.6 1.5 0 2M21.4 1.4v2.2c0 .8-.6 1.4-1.4 1.4s-1.4-.6-1.4-1.4V1.4c0-.8.6-1.4 1.4-1.4s1.4.6 1.4 1.4M7.9 5.9l1.5 1.5c.6.6.6 1.5 0 2-.6.6-1.5.6-2 0L5.9 7.9c-.6-.6-.6-1.5 0-2 .6-.6 1.5-.6 2 0M1.4 18.6h2.2c.8 0 1.4.6 1.4 1.4s-.6 1.4-1.4 1.4H1.4C.6 21.4 0 20.8 0 20s.6-1.4 1.4-1.4m4.5 13.5 1.5-1.5c.6-.6 1.4-.6 2 0s.6 1.5 0 2l-1.5 1.5c-.6.6-1.5.6-2 0-.6-.6-.6-1.5 0-2m12.7 6.5v-2.2c0-.8.6-1.4 1.4-1.4s1.4.6 1.4 1.4v2.2c0 .8-.6 1.4-1.4 1.4s-1.4-.6-1.4-1.4m13.5-4.5-1.5-1.5c-.6-.6-.6-1.4 0-2s1.5-.6 2 0l1.5 1.5c.6.6.6 1.5 0 2-.6.6-1.5.6-2 0"/></g></g></svg> </span> </span> </button>  <div x-cloak x-ref="panel" x-show="open" x-transition.origin.top.center x-on:click.outside="close()" :id="$id('dropdown-button')" class="absolute overflow-hidden z-50 bg-gray-550 absolute right-0 top-14 mt-[1px] min-w-[200px] rounded-sm py-3 md:top-10"> <form action="." method="post"> <nav> <ul class=""> <li> <button class=" group flex w-full flex-row items-center px-5 py-2 text-gray-300 hover:bg-gray-700 hover:text-green-400 focus:bg-gray-700 focus:text-green-400" name="theme" type="submit" value="light" aria-label="Set theme to Light"> <svg class="group-with-selected:text-green-400 mr-2 inline-block h-5 w-5 text-gray-100 group-hover:text-green-400 group-focus:text-green-400" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 40 40"><defs><clipPath id="theme-light_svg__a"><path fill="none" d="M0 0h40v40H0z"/></clipPath><clipPath id="theme-light_svg__b"><path fill="none" d="M0 0h40v40H0z"/></clipPath></defs><g clip-path="url(#theme-light_svg__a)"><g fill="currentColor" clip-path="url(#theme-light_svg__b)"><path d="M30 20c0 5.5-4.5 10-10 10s-10-4.5-10-10 4.5-10 10-10 10 4.5 10 10m8.6 1.4h-2.2c-.8 0-1.4-.6-1.4-1.4s.6-1.4 1.4-1.4h2.2c.8 0 1.4.6 1.4 1.4s-.6 1.4-1.4 1.4M34.1 7.9l-1.5 1.5c-.6.6-1.5.6-2 0-.6-.6-.6-1.5 0-2l1.5-1.5c.6-.6 1.5-.6 2 0 .6.6.6 1.5 0 2M21.4 1.4v2.2c0 .8-.6 1.4-1.4 1.4s-1.4-.6-1.4-1.4V1.4c0-.8.6-1.4 1.4-1.4s1.4.6 1.4 1.4M7.9 5.9l1.5 1.5c.6.6.6 1.5 0 2-.6.6-1.5.6-2 0L5.9 7.9c-.6-.6-.6-1.5 0-2 .6-.6 1.5-.6 2 0M1.4 18.6h2.2c.8 0 1.4.6 1.4 1.4s-.6 1.4-1.4 1.4H1.4C.6 21.4 0 20.8 0 20s.6-1.4 1.4-1.4m4.5 13.5 1.5-1.5c.6-.6 1.4-.6 2 0s.6 1.5 0 2l-1.5 1.5c-.6.6-1.5.6-2 0-.6-.6-.6-1.5 0-2m12.7 6.5v-2.2c0-.8.6-1.4 1.4-1.4s1.4.6 1.4 1.4v2.2c0 .8-.6 1.4-1.4 1.4s-1.4-.6-1.4-1.4m13.5-4.5-1.5-1.5c-.6-.6-.6-1.4 0-2s1.5-.6 2 0l1.5 1.5c.6.6.6 1.5 0 2-.6.6-1.5.6-2 0"/></g></g></svg> Light </button> </li> <li> <button class=" group flex w-full flex-row items-center px-5 py-2 text-gray-300 hover:bg-gray-700 hover:text-green-400 focus:bg-gray-700 focus:text-green-400" name="theme" type="submit" value="dark" aria-label="Set theme to Dark"> <svg class="group-with-selected:text-green-400 mr-2 inline-block h-5 w-5 text-gray-100 group-hover:text-green-400 group-focus:text-green-400" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 38.4 38.4"><defs><clipPath id="theme-dark_svg__a"><path fill="none" d="M0 0h38.4v38.4H0z"/></clipPath><clipPath id="theme-dark_svg__b"><path fill="none" d="M0 0h38.4v38.4H0z"/></clipPath></defs><g clip-path="url(#theme-dark_svg__a)"><g fill="currentColor" clip-path="url(#theme-dark_svg__b)"><path d="M14.5 11.4c0-4.3 1.4-8.2 3.7-11.4C8.8 1.3 1.6 9.3 1.6 19.1s8.6 19.3 19.3 19.3 12.1-3.1 15.6-7.9c-.9.1-1.8.2-2.7.2-10.7 0-19.3-8.6-19.3-19.3m17.8-6.8v2.1c0 .8-.6 1.4-1.4 1.4s-1.4-.6-1.4-1.4V4.6c0-.8.6-1.4 1.4-1.4s1.4.6 1.4 1.4m0 6.8v2.1c0 .8-.6 1.4-1.4 1.4s-1.4-.6-1.4-1.4v-2.1c0-.8.6-1.4 1.4-1.4s1.4.6 1.4 1.4m-5.8-3.7h2.1c.8 0 1.4.6 1.4 1.4s-.6 1.4-1.4 1.4h-2.1c-.8 0-1.4-.6-1.4-1.4s.6-1.4 1.4-1.4m6.8 0h2.1c.8 0 1.4.6 1.4 1.4s-.6 1.4-1.4 1.4h-2.1c-.8 0-1.4-.6-1.4-1.4s.6-1.4 1.4-1.4"/></g></g></svg> Dark </button> </li> <li> <button class="selected bg-gray-700 text-green-400 group flex w-full flex-row items-center px-5 py-2 text-gray-300 hover:bg-gray-700 hover:text-green-400 focus:bg-gray-700 focus:text-green-400" name="theme" type="submit" value="system" aria-label="Set theme to System"> <svg class="group-with-selected:text-green-400 mr-2 inline-block h-5 w-5 text-gray-100 group-hover:text-green-400 group-focus:text-green-400" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 40 40"><defs><clipPath id="theme-system_svg__a"><path fill="none" d="M0 0h40v40H0z"/></clipPath><clipPath id="theme-system_svg__b"><path fill="none" d="M0 0h40v40H0z"/></clipPath></defs><g clip-path="url(#theme-system_svg__a)"><g fill="currentColor" clip-path="url(#theme-system_svg__b)"><path d="M32 4c2.2 0 4 1.8 4 4v24c0 2.2-1.8 4-4 4H8c-2.2 0-4-1.8-4-4V8c0-2.2 1.8-4 4-4zm0-4H8C3.6 0 0 3.6 0 8v24c0 4.4 3.6 8 8 8h24c4.4 0 8-3.6 8-8V8c0-4.4-3.6-8-8-8"/><path d="M8 8h8v8H8z"/></g></g></svg> System </button> </li> </ul> </nav> </form> </div> </div> </div> <div class="hidden md:flex md:justify-center" data-modal-id="search" x-data="{ open: false, init() { this.modalId = this.$el.dataset.modalId; }, show() { console.log(this.data); this.open = true; this.$dispatch('modal-opened', { panel: this.$refs.panel, modalId: this.modalId, }); }, hide() { this.open = false }, }"> <button type="button" aria-label="Search dialog..." class="search-button flex flex-row items-center text-gray-300 hover:text-gray-100" aria-label="Open search dialog" x-on:click="show()"> <svg class="h-5 w-5" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 40 40"><defs><clipPath id="magnify_svg__a"><path fill="none" d="M0 0h40v40H0z"/></clipPath><clipPath id="magnify_svg__b"><path fill="none" d="M0 0h40v40H0z"/></clipPath></defs><g clip-path="url(#magnify_svg__a)"><g fill="none" clip-path="url(#magnify_svg__b)"><path fill="currentColor" d="M39.2 35.4 29 25.2c4.4-6.2 3.9-15-1.7-20.6C24.2 1.6 20.1 0 16 0S7.8 1.6 4.7 4.7c-6.2 6.2-6.2 16.4 0 22.6C7.8 30.4 11.9 32 16 32s6.5-1 9.3-3l10.2 10.2c.5.5 1.2.8 1.9.8s1.4-.3 1.9-.8c1-1 1-2.7 0-3.8M8.5 23.5c-2-2-3.1-4.7-3.1-7.5s1.1-5.5 3.1-7.5 4.7-3.1 7.5-3.1 5.5 1.1 7.5 3.1c4.2 4.2 4.2 10.9 0 15.1-2 2-4.7 3.1-7.5 3.1s-5.5-1.1-7.5-3.1"/></g></g></svg> </button> <template x-teleport="body"> <div class="fixed inset-0 z-[99999] overflow-y-auto" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" x-cloak x-show="open" x-on:keydown.escape.window.prevent.stop="open = false" x-id="['modal-title']" x-ref="panel" :aria-labelledby="$id('modal-title')"> <div class="fixed inset-0 bg-slate-900/80 opacity-100 backdrop-blur" x-show="open" x-transition.duration.150ms> </div> <div class="relative flex min-h-screen items-center justify-center" x-on:click="open = false" x-show="open" x-transition.duration.150ms> <div x-on:click.stop x-trap.noscroll.inert="open"> <span class="sr-only" :id="$id('modal-title')"> Search dialog... </span> <div class="search-wrapper relative z-[99999] w-screen p-5"> <div class="gcse-search"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </template> </div> <div class="h-5 w-[1px] bg-gray-400"></div> <div class="flex md:justify-center" data-modal-id="sign-in" x-data="{ open: false, init() { this.modalId = this.$el.dataset.modalId; }, show() { console.log(this.data); this.open = true; this.$dispatch('modal-opened', { panel: this.$refs.panel, modalId: this.modalId, }); }, hide() { this.open = false }, }"> <button type="button" aria-label="Sign in dialog..." class="whitespace-nowrap text-gray-300 hover:text-gray-100" aria-label="Open sign in dialog" x-on:click="show()"> Sign In </button> <template x-teleport="body"> <div class="fixed inset-0 z-[99999] overflow-y-auto" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" x-cloak x-show="open" x-on:keydown.escape.window.prevent.stop="open = false" x-id="['modal-title']" x-ref="panel" :aria-labelledby="$id('modal-title')"> <div class="fixed inset-0 bg-slate-900/80 opacity-100 backdrop-blur" x-show="open" x-transition.duration.150ms> </div> <div class="relative flex min-h-screen items-center justify-center" x-on:click="open = false" x-show="open" x-transition.duration.150ms> <div x-on:click.stop x-trap.noscroll.inert="open"> <span class="sr-only" :id="$id('modal-title')"> Sign in dialog... </span> <div class="sign-in-panel absolute left-1/2 top-1/2 w-3/4 min-w-[320px] max-w-xl -translate-x-1/2 -translate-y-1/2" > <header class="font-impact flex items-center justify-between bg-gray-600 px-7 py-4 font-semibold uppercase" > <div class="text-gray-350 flex items-center gap-3"> <svg class="h-3 w-3 text-green-400" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 40 40"><defs><clipPath id="arrow-blocks-right_svg__a"><path fill="none" d="M0 0h40v40H0z"/></clipPath></defs><g fill="currentColor" clip-path="url(#arrow-blocks-right_svg__a)"><path d="M32 16h8v8h-8zm-8 8h8v8h-8zm-8 8h8v8h-8zm8-24h8v8h-8zm-8-8h8v8h-8zM0 16h16v8H0z"/></g></svg> Sign in </div> <button class="text-gray-300 hover:text-gray-100 focus:text-gray-100" x-on:click="open = false" > <svg class="h-3 w-3" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 34.7 40"><defs><clipPath id="x_svg__a"><path fill="none" d="M0 0h34.7v40H0z"/></clipPath></defs><g fill="none" clip-path="url(#x_svg__a)"><path fill="currentColor" d="m26.4 0-8.5 16.9h-1.1L8.3 0H.8l10.1 19.4L0 40h7.6l9.2-18.3h1.1L27.1 40h7.6L23.8 19.4 33.9 0z"/></g></svg> </button> </header> <div class="sign-in-panel-body bg-gray-700 px-7 py-4"> <div class="col-span-3 normal-case text-gray-300" x-data="{ html: '', form: '', triggered: false }" x-on:modal-opened.window=" panel = $el.parentElement.parentElement.parentElement.parentElement.parentElement; if (triggered || panel !== event.detail.panel) { return; } triggered = true; html = await (await fetch('/civis/login')).text(); // Parse html for form with action=/civis/login/login parser = new DOMParser(); doc = parser.parseFromString(html, 'text/html'); form = doc.querySelector('form[action="/civis/login/login"]'); // Remove autofocus and set focus to username field username = form.querySelector('input[name="login"]'); username.removeAttribute('autofocus'); document.querySelector('.sign-in-form').appendChild(form); username.focus(); " > <div class="sign-in-form"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </template> </div> </div> </header> <main class="main relative -mt-4 lg:mt-6" id="main"> <article class="double-column h-entry post-1996686 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-apple category-tech-policy tag-app-store tag-apple tag-epic tag-epic-v-apple tag-in-app-purchasing" data-id="1996686"> <header> <div class="my-4 bg-gray-700 py-4 md:my-10 md:py-8"> <div class="mx-auto max-w-2xl px-4 md:px-8 lg:grid lg:max-w-6xl"> <div class="md:mb-2"> <div class="upper-deck font-impact inline-flex flex-row flex-nowrap items-center gap-2 text-left text-sm font-semibold uppercase leading-tight text-green-400"> <span class="upper-deck__icon"> <svg class="h-5 w-5" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 40 40"><defs><clipPath id="section-tech-policy_svg__a"><path fill="none" d="M0 0h40v40H0z"/></clipPath><clipPath id="section-tech-policy_svg__b"><path fill="none" d="M0 0h40v40H0z"/></clipPath></defs><g clip-path="url(#section-tech-policy_svg__a)"><path fill="currentColor" d="M12.8 0 6.4 6.4 0 12.8l4 1.4L14.2 4z"/><g clip-path="url(#section-tech-policy_svg__b)"><path fill="currentColor" d="M34.8 31.7c-4.4-10.4-6.1-23.6-6.1-23.6L15.4 5.4l-9.9 10 2.7 13.3s13.2 1.6 23.6 6.1c-.4 1.4 0 2.9 1.1 4 1.4 1.4 3.6 1.6 5.2.6L18.5 19.8c-1.6 1-3.8.8-5.2-.6-1.6-1.6-1.6-4.3 0-5.9s4.3-1.6 5.9 0c1.4 1.4 1.6 3.6.6 5.2L39.3 38c1-1.6.8-3.8-.6-5.2-1.1-1.1-2.6-1.4-4-1.1"/></g></g></svg> </span> <span class="upper-deck__text"> letter of the law </span> </div> </div> <h1 class="mb-3 font-serif text-4xl font-bold text-gray-100 md:text-6xl md:leading-[1.05]"> Apple lets devs use alternate in-app payment options, still takes commissions </h1> <p class="my-3 text-2xl leading-[1.1] text-gray-300 md:leading-[1.2]"> Devs must ask permission to use 3rd-party payments, and Apple still wants a cut. </p> <div class="my-3 md:mb-6 md:mt-0"> <div class="font-impact text-xs font-semibold uppercase text-gray-300"><a class="text-orange-400 hover:text-orange-500" href="https://arstechnica.com/author/andrew_cunningham/"> Andrew Cunningham </a> – <span class="whitespace-nowrap"> <time class="mr-[2px] inline-block cursor-default" title="2024-01-17T18:39:21-05:00" datetime="2024-01-17T18:39:21-05:00" x-data="{ compact: false, open: false, date: new Date('2024-01-17T18:39:21-05:00'), updatedTimestamp: false, format: function() { let 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class="text-settings-size col-span-2 bg-gray-600 text-sm text-gray-300"> <option value="small">Small</option> <option value="standard" selected>Standard</option> <option value="large">Large</option> </select> <label class="font-impact hidden w-20 text-base font-semibold uppercase text-gray-100 md:block" for="text-settings-width">Width <span class="text-gray-400">*</span> </label> <select name="text-settings-width" class="text-settings-width col-span-2 hidden bg-gray-600 text-sm text-gray-300 md:block"> <option value="standard" selected>Standard</option> <option value="wide">Wide</option> </select> <label class="font-impact w-20 text-base font-semibold uppercase text-gray-100" for="text-settings-links">Links</label> <select name="text-settings-links" class="text-settings-links col-span-2 bg-gray-600 text-sm text-gray-300"> <option value="standard" selected>Standard</option> <option value="orange">Orange</option> </select> <div class="font-impact col-span-3 hidden text-sm font-semibold uppercase text-gray-400 md:block"> <span class="mb-0 italic">* Subscribers only</span><br>   <a href="/store/product/subscriptions/" class="text-green-400">Learn more</a> </div> <button class="font-impact text-settings-position col-span-3 mx-auto my-3 block rounded-sm border-2 border-green-400 px-3 py-1 text-base font-semibold uppercase text-gray-100" value="nav"> Minimize to nav </button> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="mx-auto my-2.5 px-[15px] sm:px-5 lg:grid lg:max-w-5xl lg:grid-cols-3 lg:gap-6 lg:px-8 xl:px-0"> <div class="relative lg:col-span-2"> <div class="post-content post-content-double"> <p>A chapter in the ongoing <a href="https://arstechnica.com/series/epic-vs-apple-google/"><em>Epic v. Apple</em></a> court case <a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/01/supreme-court-denies-epic-v-apple-petitions-opening-up-ios-payment-options/">closed yesterday</a> when the US Supreme Court declined to hear further arguments from either company. This decision leaves the case where it was after the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals <a href="https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2023/04/apples-ios-walled-garden-doesnt-break-antitrust-laws-appeals-court-affirms/">ruled on it in April 2023</a>.</p> <p>The main issue at hand—to summarize days of arguments and multiple lengthy, technical court rulings in a couple of sentences—was whether Apple could continue to collect the 15–30 percent cut that it takes of all App Store purchases on its platforms and in-app purchases and subscriptions bought inside of those apps. The rulings, largely seen as victories for Apple, didn't open iOS or iPadOS up to third-party app stores or app sideloading as Epic had originally sought. However, the rulings established that Apple's so-called "anti-steering" rules—language prohibiting developers from mentioning cheaper or alternative purchasing options that might be available outside of an app—were anticompetitive.</p> <p>Apple has <a href="https://developer.apple.com/support/storekit-external-entitlement-us/">updated its App Store rules</a> to allow developers to provide external links to other payment options, technically circumventing its normal fee structure. But they come with many extra conditions that developers have to meet. And instead of paying Apple a 15 or 30 percent cut, Apple will collect a 12–27 percent commission. After factoring in the fees from whatever non-Apple payment processor these developers decide to use, the revenue they give up will remain essentially unchanged.</p> <h2>Apple is still taking a cut</h2> <p>The new rules, which apply only to the US App Store, cover something Apple calls a StoreKit External Purchase Link Entitlement. This entitlement comes with a long list of additional requirements, which Apple says are "designed to help protect people’s privacy and security, prevent scams and fraudulent activity, and maintain the overall quality of the user experience."</p> <div class="ars-interlude-container in-content-interlude mx-auto max-w-xl"> </div> </div> </div> <div class="hidden min-w-[300px] justify-self-end bg-gray-100 dark:bg-gray-50 lg:block"> <div class="ad-wrapper is-sticky is-rail"> <div class="ad-wrapper-inner"> <div class="ad ad--rail"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ad-wrapper with-label is-fullwidth"> <div class="ad-wrapper-inner"> <div class="ad ad--mid-content"> </div> </div> </div> <div class="mx-auto my-2.5 px-[15px] sm:px-5 lg:grid lg:max-w-5xl lg:grid-cols-3 lg:gap-6 lg:px-8 xl:px-0"> <div class="relative lg:col-span-2"> <div class="post-content post-content-double"> <p>Most notably, external links must adhere to Apple's "design and language requirements," cannot "mimic Apple's in-app purchase system," and can only be displayed in one place in your app. Developers still can't include language about going directly to their websites for a discounted rate. And whenever users click the external purchase link in your app, they'll be shown a full-page warning screen explaining that Apple is not responsible for the site's privacy or security and that you won't be able to use your Apple account to manage purchases or subscriptions.</p> <figure class="ars-img-shortcode id-1996874 align-center"> <div> <div class="ars-lightbox"> <div class="ars-lightbox-item"> <a data-pswp-width="1440" data-pswp-height="836" data-pswp-srcset="https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Screenshot-2024-01-17-at-2.55.20 PM-300x174.jpeg 300w, https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Screenshot-2024-01-17-at-2.55.20 PM-640x372.jpeg 640w, https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Screenshot-2024-01-17-at-2.55.20 PM-768x446.jpeg 768w, https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Screenshot-2024-01-17-at-2.55.20 PM-1536x892.jpeg 1536w, https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Screenshot-2024-01-17-at-2.55.20 PM-2048x1189.jpeg 2048w, https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Screenshot-2024-01-17-at-2.55.20 PM-980x569.jpeg 980w, https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Screenshot-2024-01-17-at-2.55.20 PM-1440x836.jpeg 1440w" data-cropped="true" href="https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Screenshot-2024-01-17-at-2.55.20%E2%80%AFPM-1440x836.jpeg" target="_blank" class="cursor-zoom-in"> <img decoding="async" width="2480" height="1440" src="https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Screenshot-2024-01-17-at-2.55.20%E2%80%AFPM.jpeg" class="attachment-full size-full" alt="" srcset="https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Screenshot-2024-01-17-at-2.55.20 PM.jpeg 2480w, https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Screenshot-2024-01-17-at-2.55.20 PM-300x174.jpeg 300w, https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Screenshot-2024-01-17-at-2.55.20 PM-640x372.jpeg 640w, https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Screenshot-2024-01-17-at-2.55.20 PM-768x446.jpeg 768w, https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Screenshot-2024-01-17-at-2.55.20 PM-1536x892.jpeg 1536w, https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Screenshot-2024-01-17-at-2.55.20 PM-2048x1189.jpeg 2048w, https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Screenshot-2024-01-17-at-2.55.20 PM-980x569.jpeg 980w, https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Screenshot-2024-01-17-at-2.55.20 PM-1440x836.jpeg 1440w" sizes="(max-width: 2480px) 100vw, 2480px"> </a> <div class="pswp-caption-content" id="caption-1996874"> Examples of what Apple wants third-party in-app purchase links to look like. <div class="ars-gallery-caption-credit"> Credit: Apple </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <figcaption> <div class="caption font-impact mb-4 mt-2 inline-flex flex-row items-stretch gap-1 text-base leading-tight text-gray-300"> <div class="caption-icon bg-[left_top_5px] w-[10px] shrink-0"></div> <div class="caption-content"> Examples of what Apple wants third-party in-app purchase links to look like. <span class="caption-credit mt-2 text-xs"> Credit: Apple </span> </div> </div> </figcaption> </figure> <p>Developers who don't get approval from Apple won't be able to use this link entitlement and will be subject to the same rules and restrictions around external purchasing links as before. Developers who offer external purchasing links will also be required to offer standard in-app purchasing through Apple, and developers "may not discourage end-users from making in-app purchases."</p> <p>The new commission reporting requirements may be even more onerous, particularly for small developers. In short, devs who would have owed Apple 15 percent of any in-app purchases will owe Apple a 12 percent commission on any in-app purchases made using a third-party site. Developers who would have owed Apple a 30 percent cut will owe a 27 percent commission instead. Apple says that these commissions "account for the substantial value Apple provides developers, including in facilitating linked transactions."</p> <p>To put these rates in context, payment processors generally take a small percentage of all online transactions, plus a small fixed fee. Square and Stripe, to pick two prominent examples, take 2.9 percent of every sale plus an additional 30 cents (NerdWallet has <a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/best/small-business/payment-processing-companies">a good comparative list</a>).</p> <figure class="ars-img-shortcode id-1996884 align-center"> <div> <div class="ars-lightbox"> <div class="ars-lightbox-item"> <a data-pswp-width="1440" data-pswp-height="810" data-pswp-srcset="https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ios-iap-300x169.jpg 300w, https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ios-iap-640x360.jpg 640w, https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ios-iap-768x432.jpg 768w, https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ios-iap-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ios-iap-384x216.jpg 384w, https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ios-iap-1152x648.jpg 1152w, https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ios-iap-980x551.jpg 980w, https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ios-iap-1440x810.jpg 1440w, https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ios-iap.jpg 1920w" data-cropped="true" href="https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ios-iap-1440x810.jpg" target="_blank" class="cursor-zoom-in"> <img decoding="async" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ios-iap.jpg" class="attachment-full size-full" alt="" srcset="https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ios-iap.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ios-iap-300x169.jpg 300w, https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ios-iap-640x360.jpg 640w, https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ios-iap-768x432.jpg 768w, https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ios-iap-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ios-iap-384x216.jpg 384w, https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ios-iap-1152x648.jpg 1152w, https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ios-iap-980x551.jpg 980w, https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ios-iap-1440x810.jpg 1440w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px"> </a> <div class="pswp-caption-content" id="caption-1996884"> The "in-app system disclosure sheet" that crops up when users try to use a third-party payment system in an iOS app. <div class="ars-gallery-caption-credit"> Credit: Apple </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <figcaption> <div class="caption font-impact mb-4 mt-2 inline-flex flex-row items-stretch gap-1 text-base leading-tight text-gray-300"> <div class="caption-icon bg-[left_top_5px] w-[10px] shrink-0"></div> <div class="caption-content"> The "in-app system disclosure sheet" that crops up when users try to use a third-party payment system in an iOS app. <span class="caption-credit mt-2 text-xs"> Credit: Apple </span> </div> </div> </figcaption> </figure> <p>Depending on what a developer is charging for in-app purchases, this could work out to a little under 3 percent or substantially more than 3 percent. Regardless, most developers would struggle to take home more money than they do by using Apple's built-in payment system, especially once you factor in overhead for complying with Apple's filing requirements. Developers will be required to file monthly transaction reports with Apple, and they will be invoiced based on those reports. Apple will charge interest on late payments, and if the company ever "develops an API to facilitate reporting," developers will be required to add support in their apps within 30 days.</p> </div> </div> <div class="hidden min-w-[300px] justify-self-end bg-gray-100 dark:bg-gray-50 lg:block"> <div class="ad-wrapper is-sticky is-rail"> <div class="ad-wrapper-inner"> <div class="ad ad--rail"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ad-wrapper with-label is-fullwidth"> <div class="ad-wrapper-inner"> <div class="ad ad--mid-content"> </div> </div> </div> <div class="mx-auto my-2.5 px-[15px] sm:px-5 lg:grid lg:max-w-5xl lg:grid-cols-3 lg:gap-6 lg:px-8 xl:px-0"> <div class="relative lg:col-span-2"> <div class="post-content post-content-double"> <p>Developers who attempt to circumvent any of Apple's requirements can have their apps removed and developer accounts suspended at Apple's discretion.</p> <p>The way Apple has structured this link entitlement is similar to a hypothetical suggested by Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in <a href="https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/17442392/epic-games-inc-v-apple-inc/?page=5#entry-812">the original <em>Epic v. Apple</em> ruling</a>.</p> <p>"Even in the absence of [in-app purchases,] Apple could still charge a commission on developers. It would simply be more difficult for Apple to collect that commission," Rodriguez writes, before continuing in a footnote. "In such a hypothetical world, developers could potentially avoid the commission while benefitting from Apple’s innovation and intellectual property free of charge. The Court presumes that in such circumstances that Apple may rely on imposing and utilizing a contractual right to audit developers' annual accounting to ensure compliance with its commissions, among other methods. Of course, any alternatives to IAP (including the foregoing) would seemingly impose both increased monetary and time costs to both Apple and the developers."</p> <p>Regardless of Apple's intent, it seems clear that most developers will continue on the path of least resistance: use Apple's first-party in-app payment system, which rolls Apple's commission fees and payment processing fees up into a flat 15–30 percent payment, doesn't come with the same restrictions or warnings as Apple's External Purchase Link Entitlement system, and doesn't require the same amount of administrative overhead.</p> <p>And the new rules may open up another chapter in the <em>Epic v. Apple</em> saga. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney <a href="https://twitter.com/TimSweeneyEpic/status/1747408148799881390">called</a> the new rules a "bad-faith compliance plan" and vowed to contest them in district court.</p> </div> <div class="-mx-2.5 sm:mx-0"> <section class="my-5 bg-gray-700" id="related-stories"> <div class="related-stories-title font-impact flex flex-row items-center justify-center gap-2 bg-gray-600 px-5 py-2 text-xl font-extrabold uppercase text-green-400"> <svg class="h-5 w-auto" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 60 40"><defs><clipPath id="double-arrows_svg__a"><path fill="none" d="M0 0h60v40H0z"/></clipPath><clipPath id="double-arrows_svg__b"><path fill="none" d="M0 0h60v40H0z"/></clipPath></defs><g fill="none" clip-path="url(#double-arrows_svg__a)"><path fill="#ff4e00" d="m0 20 23.5 20L20 25h7.8l-5.9-5 5.9-5H20l3.5-15z"/><g clip-path="url(#double-arrows_svg__b)"><path fill="#e9eaed" d="m45 15 3.5-15L25 20l23.5 20L45 25h10c2.8 0 5-2.2 5-5s-2.2-5-5-5z"/></g></g></svg> <span>Related Stories</span> </div> <div class="related-stories-list"> <span class="ars-story-sidebar footnote inline"> <span class="relative inline-block w-full"> <span class="footnote-content w-full overflow-hidden pt-[5px]"> <span class="footnote-inner relative flex gap-3 overflow-hidden rounded-sm bg-gray-700 px-[15px] py-4 text-gray-300 sm:px-5"> <span class="relative aspect-square h-12 w-12 shrink-0 overflow-hidden rounded-full border-2 border-green-400 md:h-[72px] md:w-[72px] md:border-4"> <a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/01/supreme-court-denies-epic-v-apple-petitions-opening-up-ios-payment-options/"><img width="150" height="150" src="https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ASPOT_Image-3840x2308-35330d4be45373960682e7ef88da5b4c2d8e790f-2999372114-150x150.jpg" class="absolute left-0 top-0 min-w-full min-h-full object-cover wp-post-image" alt="Fortnite characters looking across the many islands and vast realm of the game." srcset="https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ASPOT_Image-3840x2308-35330d4be45373960682e7ef88da5b4c2d8e790f-2999372114-150x150.jpg 150w, https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ASPOT_Image-3840x2308-35330d4be45373960682e7ef88da5b4c2d8e790f-2999372114-500x500.jpg 500w, https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ASPOT_Image-3840x2308-35330d4be45373960682e7ef88da5b4c2d8e790f-2999372114-1000x1000.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /></a> </span> <span class="footnote-headline"> <a class="footnote-link font-serif text-xl font-bold leading-none text-gray-100 hover:text-orange-400" href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/01/supreme-court-denies-epic-v-apple-petitions-opening-up-ios-payment-options/"> Supreme Court denies <em>Epic v. Apple</em> petitions, opening up iOS payment options </a><br> <span class="footnote-text text-gray-250 leading-tighter inline-block text-base"> Most of Epic's arguments are moot now, but one point will change the App Store. </span> </span> </span> </span> </span> </span> <hr class="ml-5 w-28 border-gray-300"> <span class="ars-story-sidebar footnote inline"> <span class="relative inline-block w-full"> <span class="footnote-content w-full overflow-hidden pt-[5px]"> <span class="footnote-inner relative flex gap-3 overflow-hidden rounded-sm bg-gray-700 px-[15px] py-4 text-gray-300 sm:px-5"> <span class="relative aspect-square h-12 w-12 shrink-0 overflow-hidden rounded-full border-2 border-green-400 md:h-[72px] md:w-[72px] md:border-4"> <a href="https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2023/04/apples-ios-walled-garden-doesnt-break-antitrust-laws-appeals-court-affirms/"><img width="150" height="150" src="https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-957063506-150x150.jpg" class="absolute left-0 top-0 min-w-full min-h-full object-cover wp-post-image" alt="Extreme close-up photograph of a hand holding a smartphone." srcset="https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-957063506-150x150.jpg 150w, https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-957063506-500x500.jpg 500w, https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GettyImages-957063506-1000x1000.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /></a> </span> <span class="footnote-headline"> <a class="footnote-link font-serif text-xl font-bold leading-none text-gray-100 hover:text-orange-400" href="https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2023/04/apples-ios-walled-garden-doesnt-break-antitrust-laws-appeals-court-affirms/"> Apple’s iOS “walled garden” doesn’t break antitrust laws, appeals court affirms [Updated] </a><br> <span class="footnote-text text-gray-250 leading-tighter inline-block text-base"> But court leaves injunction against "anti-steering" payment language in place. </span> </span> </span> </span> </span> </span> </div> </section> </div> <div class="listing-credit my-2"> <p class="text-gray-350 font-impact text-sm font-semibold"> Listing image: Getty Images | NurPhoto </p> </div> <div class="author-mini-bio"> <div class="flex flex-col items-start gap-5 border-t-4 py-5 dark:border-gray-700 sm:flex-row"> <div class="flex items-center gap-3"> <a class="relative block aspect-square h-24 w-24 shrink-0 overflow-hidden rounded-full border-4 border-green-400" href="https://arstechnica.com/author/andrew_cunningham/"><img class="absolute left-0 top-0 min-h-full min-w-full object-cover" src="/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/a.cunningham-45-1.jpg" alt="Photo of Andrew Cunningham"></a> <div class="font-impact mb-0 text-left text-base font-semibold uppercase sm:hidden"> <a href="https://arstechnica.com/author/andrew_cunningham/">Andrew Cunningham</a> <span class="block font-sans text-sm font-normal italic sm:inline-block">Senior Technology Reporter</span> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="font-impact mb-0 hidden text-left text-base font-semibold uppercase sm:block"> <a href="https://arstechnica.com/author/andrew_cunningham/">Andrew Cunningham</a> <span class="block font-sans text-sm font-normal italic sm:ml-2 sm:inline-block">Senior Technology Reporter</span> </div> <div class="text-left text-base leading-5 text-gray-400" itemprop="description"> Andrew is a Senior Technology Reporter at Ars Technica, with a focus on consumer tech including computer hardware and in-depth reviews of operating systems like Windows and macOS. 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Apple lets devs use alternate in-app payment options, still takes commissions - Ars Technica