Apple working with developers for in-app content changes and Apple will still be enforcing the changes to in-app content purchasing that will give Apple a 30% slice of purchases made via any app in the App Store.The policy changes affect many major apps that make purchases of outside content available to consumers and if that deadline may have been moved out to make sure that major publishers in the App Store ecosystem can reach compliance…………
Apple‘s new rules for in-app purchases and subscriptions for iOS were going into effect and certain high-profile apps such as Amazon’s Kindle app had yet to be updated to comply with the new terms and also Apple policy on in-app subscription content has passed with some developers yet to modify their apps. But Macworld has learned that Apple is working with developers to bring their apps into compliance as the company will look to start enforcing its new rules. The in-app content rules came as part of Apple’s subscription system, requiring that apps offer in-app content for the same price regardless of whether it was purchased via the app or outside of it. Apple later revised the rules, instead just requiring that developers remove any links to external sources for purchasing content accessible from within the app. Section 11.14 of Apple’s App Store review guidelines currently reads:
Apps can read or play approved content (specifically magazines, newspapers, books, audio, music, and video) that is subscribed to or purchased outside of the app, as long as there is no button or external link in the app to purchase the approved content. Apple will not receive any portion of the revenues for approved content that is subscribed to or purchased outside of the app.
Some developers have already begun to make the necessary changes. Last month, video-streaming provider Hulu updated its Hulu Plus iOS app, dropping a link that allowed users to visit the company’s website to sign up for a paid subscription. Others, such as Netflix, have exploited a loophole: The login screen for the video-streaming app tells users to visit netflix.com to sign up but does not provide a tappable link. Other developers have not yet updated their apps as of this writing: Amazon’s Kindle ebook reader. However, Macworld’s sources can confirm that Apple has been working with various prominent developers to help them ensure their apps comply with the in-app content policies; expect to see updates to these apps in the near future. Some less prominent apps will likely be pulled from the App Store as Apple starts to enforce the rule changes, but developers ought to be able to return to the store simply by updating their apps to comply. Apple’s bet is that developers will comply, but that’s no sure thing. Many developers have not been shy about voicing their criticism of the new policies, which not only gives Apple a 30 percent cut of all content bought through apps but also restricts how apps can point customers toward purchases outside of apps.
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