- To comply with the Epic vs Apple ruling, Apple has revised its App Store rules in the US to allow alternative payment systems.
- However, the company is placing plenty of additional burdens on developers opting for it, like continuing to charge a 27% commission, keeping a right to audit the developers’ accounting, and even using a large “scare screen.”
Apple has been involved in a lengthy legal battle with Fortnite‘s creator Epic Games, and the case finally concluded when the Court prohibited Apple from further forbidding developers to offer third-party payment options within their apps. Apple has now changed its anti-steering rules in the US to allow developers to link to alternative payment systems within apps. But these changes come with their share of malicious compliance.
Apple has updated its App Store guidelines in the US to fall in line with the court ruling. App developers distributing through the Apple App Store in the US can now link to alternative payment methods, but they also need to offer purchases through Apple’s in-app purchase system alongside. This way, developers cannot wholly bypass Apple as they must incorporate Apple’s system anyway.