Problems with some apps.
mehmeteminkartal opened this issue · 2 comments
Hi. I’ve checked the App Store guidelines and found that most of the apps listed on your website are exempt on rules below. I don’t support either sides on this whole controversy. I’m just saying people are going to point out to these rules and might call you out.
I know these are a bit controversial topics right now. I don’t intend any hate or bad intentions. Just a fellow ios developer trying to help another ios dev.
Pasting from app store guidelines
3.1.4 Hardware-Specific Content: In limited circumstances, such as when features are dependent upon specific hardware to function, the app may unlock that functionality without using in-app purchase (e.g. an astronomy app that adds features when synced with a telescope). App features that work in combination with an approved physical product (such as a toy) on an optional basis may unlock functionality without using in-app purchase, provided that an in-app purchase option is available as well. You may not, however, require users to purchase unrelated products or engage in advertising or marketing activities to unlock app functionality.
3.1.5(a) Goods and Services Outside of the App: If your app enables people to purchase goods or services that will be consumed outside of the app, you must use purchase methods other than in-app purchase to collect those payments, such as Apple Pay or traditional credit card entry.
Yep, I get that, which is why I named the site after the Schiller quote (whose standard is based on first-run functionality) and not a specific App Store guideline.
Though, I still have the question, why does Apple believe it gets 30% of the revenue of some businesses and not others? Why did they gerrymander the rules in this way?
There could be ethical or philosophical reasons why Apple believes it's entitled to Email service revenue and not digital movie rental. If so, I haven't heard them. From my vantage-point, as an indie SaaS developer, it seems far more rooted in business strategy and power dynamics than any purely technical or ethical reasoning.
Regardless, this is a conversation we should be having in public. Not in off-the-record calls with App Review or in whisper networks among developers.
Anyway, I appreciate the generosity of your comment and understand we're in a huge gray zone. Thanks for adding to the conversation!
I'm going to close the issue because nothing's explicitly "broken" here, and I'm happy to continue chatting! 😀