Yahoo! Finance
Apple has been taking a lot of flak lately over the 30 percent cut it takes from app developers. Starting next year, though, certain developers will be able to avoid paying the tech giant a commission. The company has announced that it will update the App Store in early 2022 to allow developers of “reader” apps to add in-app links to their websites, allowing users to set up their accounts and make payments. Apple defines reader apps as those that “provide previously purchased content or content subscriptions for digital magazines, newspapers, books, audio, music and video.” As Bloomberg notes, that means the new rule would apply to services like Netflix and Spotify.
The tech giant announced the update following the conclusion of an investigation by the Japan Fair Trade Commission. Apple agreed with the commission to let reader app developers add a single link to their website, because those developers “do not offer in-app digital goods and services for purchase.” The change will cover all reader apps around the world, but Apple will update its guidelines and review process first before it takes effect.
