Apple app developers may contact customers directly to avoid commission

Apple allows app developers to use user data to directly inform them of payment methods outside of apps. If customers use these payment methods, developers will not have to pay a commission to Apple.

App developers can use Communication Tools to inform their customers of payment methods outside of iOS apps, Apple writes. In the letter, Apple cites email as an example of this means of communication. As of this year, developers were already allowed to inform customers of payment methods outside the iOS app, but they weren’t allowed to use customer data they got through the iOS app. This is possible with a policy change. Customers must give permission to use contact details.

The policy change is part of a settlement proposal with several app developers in the United States. Apple does not indicate that the policy change applies only to US users, so it appears that Apple is implementing the renewed policy internationally. When users pay within iOS apps, the developer has to pay 15 to 30 percent of sales to Apple. If users pay via payment methods outside of these iOS apps, developers won’t have to pay anything to Apple.

iOS developers I started a class action lawsuit two years ago Against Apple, because they were not satisfied with the prices charged in the App Store. Another policy change is to give developers more freedom to choose pricing for subscriptions, in-app purchases, and paid apps. The number of prizes available ranges from one hundred to five hundred. This change will take effect on December 31, 2022, according to A settlement proposal published by The Verge.

Apple is also agreeing to extend its reduced commission of 15% to developers with annual revenue of less than $1 million, for a period of three years. These developers also get access to a fund created by Apple, although at the moment it is only for US developers. Apple is providing $100 million for this fund.

At the moment, it is about a settlement proposal; The judge will consider the motion on October 12. The developers who started the lawsuit, Refer in comment Being “happy and proud” of the proposed changes.