Adam Kos After the information about scanning iCloud photos for objectionable content changed every day, the situation surrounding the App Store case is also changing every day. Apple released another one profit report, announcing that developers will eventually be able to direct their users to their store outside of the App Store. Of course, there is a catch.
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The news comes after the conclusion of an investigation by the Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC), which has been looking into Apple's anti-competitive practices since 2019. The company has now confirmed that as part of the settlement with the JFTC, developers will be able to directly tell users that they can register and manage their subscription to their services through an external website. Previously, they could not provide this information at all, according to the latest announcement, at most in the form of e-mail.
The catch here is that Apple allows the ability to inform users only for such applications that are intended to be "read". So these are applications with digital magazines, newspapers, books, audio, music and video (so probably also in the case of Netflix, Spotify, etc.). These guidelines for the App Store will be updated in early 2022, when the changes to subscription and in-app purchase rules outlined in the previous press release will also take effect.
However, Apple will of course continue to promote its own payment system as the most efficient and secure for both developers and users. It just won't stop certain apps from connecting users to their website for possible (and developer-friendly) purchases. However, it is worth noting that, at least for now, the changes do not affect regular or in-app purchases, but only when it comes to subscriptions. However, as the situation develops, there may be further wording adjustments.
