App Store
Apple achieved a delay in easing the app store rules
Apple was able to postpone the easing of the app store rules imposed by a court ruling. Photo: Silas Stein / dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
Epic failed with its own iPhone app store. A side effect were new ways for app developers to inform users about payment methods outside of the Apple platform. But this is on hold.
Apple managed at the last minute to postpone a court ruling to relax the app store rules.
A US appeals court ruled that Apple’s objections raise serious questions and that the iPhone company could suffer considerable damage if it failed. Therefore, it stopped implementing the changes that were due to come into force on Thursday for the duration of the procedure.
According to the decision of a California district judge, app developers in the USA should be given the right to use links or buttons to refer to payment options outside of Apple’s platform for their applications. The verdict came at the beginning of September in the process between Apple and the company Epic Games, from which the online game “Fortnite” originates. Apple argued that the change could harm consumers and the integrity of the app store platform.
The appeals court was bothered by the district judge’s finding that Apple’s business practices did not violate antitrust law, but a California law against unfair competition. Apple welcomed the delay. “We fear that the changes would have led to new data protection and security risks,” said a spokesman.
Epic versus Apple
In the process, Epic wanted to obtain the right to operate its own app store on the iPhone – and failed. But the district judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers decided at the same time that Apple can no longer prohibit developers from advising users of ways to buy the items cheaper outside of the app store.
Apple warned that some developers, from the company’s point of view, interpreted the judge’s decision too generously and wanted to pack entire alternative payment processes behind the links. As the company argues, this could allow malicious developers to misuse user data, while Apple could not prevent this.
Apple basically allows the purchase of digital goods – such as virtual items in game apps – via its in-house payment platform. A fee of 15 or 30 percent is due to the group. Apple argues, among other things, that the process would protect users from attempted fraud and misuse of their data. Some app developers criticize that the levy is unjustifiably high.
The app store system from Apple and Android developer Google has recently attracted increasing attention from competition watchdogs and politicians. In some countries – including the EU – there are plans to make the iPhone platform accessible to other app stores. Apple warns of dangers for users through such a step.