Apple App Store: Difference between revisions

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'''[[Apple]]''' uses a range of technical measures to maintain control over the App Store ecosystem. These measures often create roadblocks for app developers and users. Apple typically cites security and user-friendliness for its insistence on extreme regulation and control over its software. Some of the methods Apple uses to control its ecosystem hinders lawmakers' ability to advocate for the rights of consumers and businesses within Apple's ecosystem and prevents apps from being as useful and free as their customers expect.

Although there are supported iOS application installation source alternatives such as [https://altstore.io/ Altstore], they are not commonly used or known about which gives Apple a practical monopoly over users and app developers.

Although there are supported iOS application installation source alternatives such as [https://altstore.io/ Altstore], they are not commonly used or known about which gives Apple a practical monopoly over iOS users and iOS app developers.

~~A never-ending demand for~~ a cut of every sale of a digital product, ranging from game currency to supporting content creators<ref name="patreon">{{Cite web |last=Roth |first=Emma |date=12 Aug 2024 |title=Patreon: adding Apple’s 30 percent tax is the price of staying in the App Store |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/12/24218629/patreon-membership-ios-30-percent-apple-tax |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/Vi9cV |archive-date=13 Nov 2024 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref> to booking a Zoom call with a local business<ref name="facebook">{{Cite web |last=Paul |first=Katie |last2=Nellis |first2=Stephen |date=28 Aug 2020 |title=Exclusive: Facebook says Apple rejected its attempt to tell users about App Store fees |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-facebook-apple-exclusive/exclusive-facebook-says-apple-rejected-its-attempt-to-tell-users-about-app-store-fees-idUSKBN25O042/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/9CJDN |archive-date=7 Jan 2026 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reuters]]}}</ref>~~, hinders~~ app developers from innovating. ~~These~~ developers~~, working hard and pulling countless hours to build a quality app, always need~~ to ~~take~~ Apple's (and [[Google]]'s) ~~demands into account - specifically, a fee~~ of between 15% and 30% of all revenue ~~collected via~~ the app. ~~This is revenue that can be reinvested in the~~ app~~; however~~, ~~it must be earmarked for~~ the ~~platforms they are '''required'''~~ to ~~use to reach their customers~~.

Apple demands a cut of every sale of a digital product, ranging from game currency to supporting content creators<ref name="patreon">{{Cite web |last=Roth |first=Emma |date=12 Aug 2024 |title=Patreon: adding Apple’s 30 percent tax is the price of staying in the App Store |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/12/24218629/patreon-membership-ios-30-percent-apple-tax |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/Vi9cV |archive-date=13 Nov 2024 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref> to booking a Zoom call with a local business.<ref name="facebook">{{Cite web |last=Paul |first=Katie |last2=Nellis |first2=Stephen |date=28 Aug 2020 |title=Exclusive: Facebook says Apple rejected its attempt to tell users about App Store fees |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-facebook-apple-exclusive/exclusive-facebook-says-apple-rejected-its-attempt-to-tell-users-about-app-store-fees-idUSKBN25O042/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/9CJDN |archive-date=7 Jan 2026 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reuters]]}}</ref> Some argue that these fees hinder iOS app developers from innovating and using the money to further improve their applications. There are groups in support of developers who are experiencing difficulties in continuing development due to Apple (and [[Google]]'s) fees of between 15% and 30% of all revenue. These groups deny the notion that Apple and Google require the money generated by the app more than the developer. These fees also push app developers to increase prices to maximize profits, which increases the prices that users have to pay.

Because of this, several governments including South Korea,<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 Mar 2022 |title=South Korea approves rules on app store law targeting Apple, Google |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/skorea-approves-rules-app-store-law-targeting-apple-google-2022-03-08/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/q1VQW |archive-date=11 Jan 2023 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reuters]]}}</ref> Japan,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharwood |first=Simon |date=13 Jun 2024 |title=Japan forces Apple and Google to allow third-party app stores and payments |url=https://www.theregister.com/2024/06/13/japan_smartphone_software_law/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/Jj9BI |archive-date=13 Jun 2024 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[The Register]]}}</ref> the European Union,<ref>[[wikipedia:Digital Markets Act|Digital Markets Act]]</ref> the United Kingdom,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Competition and Markets Authority |date=4 Mar 2021 |title=Investigation into Apple AppStore |url=https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/investigation-into-apple-appstore |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/uZ7A5 |archive-date=7 Jan 2026 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[gov.uk]]}}</ref> Australia,<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 Apr 2021 |title=Dominance of Apple and Google's app stores impacting competition and consumers |url=https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/dominance-of-apple-and-googles-app-stores-impacting-competition-and-consumers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/Bw3gv |archive-date=7 Jan 2026 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[ACCC]]}}</ref> as well as the US and a handful of US States<ref>[[wikipedia:Open App Markets Act|Open App Markets Act]]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=20 Nov 2024 |title=S.5364 - App Store Accountability Act |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/5364/text/is |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/7yPxE |archive-date=7 Jan 2026 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[congress.gov]]}}</ref><ref name="doj">{{Cite web |last=Balsamo |first=Mike |last2=Liedtke |first2=Mike |last3=Whitehurst |first3=Lindsay |last4=Bajak |first4=Frank |date=21 Mar 2024 |title=Justice Department sues Apple, alleging it illegally monopolized the smartphone market |url=https://apnews.com/article/apple-antitrust-monopoly-app-store-justice-department-822d7e8f5cf53a2636795fcc33ee1fc3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/BB4Zn |archive-date=21 Mar 2024 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[APNews]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=19 Feb 2021 |title=It’s time to free ourselves from ‘Big Tech’ monopoly |url=https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2021/02/19/its-time-to-free-ourselves-from-big-tech-monopoly/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/bLDwu |archive-date=23 Feb 2021 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Arizona Capitol Times]]}}</ref> have opened investigations into anti-competitive practices, or considered or already passed legislation to force "gatekeeper platforms" such as Apple to be more reasonable with third-party developers.

@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
 '''[[Apple]]''' uses a range of technical measures to maintain control over the App Store ecosystem. These measures often create roadblocks for app developers and users. Apple typically cites security and user-friendliness for its insistence on extreme regulation and control over its software. Some of the methods Apple uses to control its ecosystem hinders lawmakers' ability to advocate for the rights of consumers and businesses within Apple's ecosystem and prevents apps from being as useful and free as their customers expect.
-Although there are supported iOS application installation source alternatives such as [https://altstore.io/ Altstore], they are not commonly used or known about which gives Apple a practical monopoly over users and app developers.
+Although there are supported iOS application installation source alternatives such as [https://altstore.io/ Altstore], they are not commonly used or known about which gives Apple a practical monopoly over iOS users and iOS app developers.
-A never-ending demand for a cut of every sale of a digital product, ranging from game currency to supporting content creators<ref name="patreon">{{Cite web |last=Roth |first=Emma |date=12 Aug 2024 |title=Patreon: adding Apple’s 30 percent tax is the price of staying in the App Store |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/12/24218629/patreon-membership-ios-30-percent-apple-tax |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/Vi9cV |archive-date=13 Nov 2024 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref> to booking a Zoom call with a local business<ref name="facebook">{{Cite web |last=Paul |first=Katie |last2=Nellis |first2=Stephen |date=28 Aug 2020 |title=Exclusive: Facebook says Apple rejected its attempt to tell users about App Store fees |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-facebook-apple-exclusive/exclusive-facebook-says-apple-rejected-its-attempt-to-tell-users-about-app-store-fees-idUSKBN25O042/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/9CJDN |archive-date=7 Jan 2026 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reuters]]}}</ref>, hinders app developers from innovating. These developers, working hard and pulling countless hours to build a quality app, always need to take Apple's (and [[Google]]'s) demands into account - specifically, a fee of between 15% and 30% of all revenue collected via the app. This is revenue that can be reinvested in the app; however, it must be earmarked for the platforms they are '''required''' to use to reach their customers.
+Apple demands a cut of every sale of a digital product, ranging from game currency to supporting content creators<ref name="patreon">{{Cite web |last=Roth |first=Emma |date=12 Aug 2024 |title=Patreon: adding Apple’s 30 percent tax is the price of staying in the App Store |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/12/24218629/patreon-membership-ios-30-percent-apple-tax |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/Vi9cV |archive-date=13 Nov 2024 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref> to booking a Zoom call with a local business.<ref name="facebook">{{Cite web |last=Paul |first=Katie |last2=Nellis |first2=Stephen |date=28 Aug 2020 |title=Exclusive: Facebook says Apple rejected its attempt to tell users about App Store fees |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-facebook-apple-exclusive/exclusive-facebook-says-apple-rejected-its-attempt-to-tell-users-about-app-store-fees-idUSKBN25O042/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/9CJDN |archive-date=7 Jan 2026 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reuters]]}}</ref> Some argue that these fees hinder iOS app developers from innovating and using the money to further improve their applications. There are groups in support of developers who are experiencing difficulties in continuing development due to Apple (and [[Google]]'s) fees of between 15% and 30% of all revenue. These groups deny the notion that Apple and Google require the money generated by the app more than the developer. These fees also push app developers to increase prices to maximize profits, which increases the prices that users have to pay.
 Because of this, several governments including South Korea,<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 Mar 2022 |title=South Korea approves rules on app store law targeting Apple, Google |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/skorea-approves-rules-app-store-law-targeting-apple-google-2022-03-08/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/q1VQW |archive-date=11 Jan 2023 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reuters]]}}</ref> Japan,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharwood |first=Simon |date=13 Jun 2024 |title=Japan forces Apple and Google to allow third-party app stores and payments |url=https://www.theregister.com/2024/06/13/japan_smartphone_software_law/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/Jj9BI |archive-date=13 Jun 2024 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[The Register]]}}</ref> the European Union,<ref>[[wikipedia:Digital Markets Act|Digital Markets Act]]</ref> the United Kingdom,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Competition and Markets Authority |date=4 Mar 2021 |title=Investigation into Apple AppStore |url=https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/investigation-into-apple-appstore |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/uZ7A5 |archive-date=7 Jan 2026 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[gov.uk]]}}</ref> Australia,<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 Apr 2021 |title=Dominance of Apple and Google's app stores impacting competition and consumers |url=https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/dominance-of-apple-and-googles-app-stores-impacting-competition-and-consumers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/Bw3gv |archive-date=7 Jan 2026 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[ACCC]]}}</ref> as well as the US and a handful of US States<ref>[[wikipedia:Open App Markets Act|Open App Markets Act]]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=20 Nov 2024 |title=S.5364 - App Store Accountability Act |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/5364/text/is |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/7yPxE |archive-date=7 Jan 2026 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[congress.gov]]}}</ref><ref name="doj">{{Cite web |last=Balsamo |first=Mike |last2=Liedtke |first2=Mike |last3=Whitehurst |first3=Lindsay |last4=Bajak |first4=Frank |date=21 Mar 2024 |title=Justice Department sues Apple, alleging it illegally monopolized the smartphone market |url=https://apnews.com/article/apple-antitrust-monopoly-app-store-justice-department-822d7e8f5cf53a2636795fcc33ee1fc3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/BB4Zn |archive-date=21 Mar 2024 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[APNews]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=19 Feb 2021 |title=It’s time to free ourselves from ‘Big Tech’ monopoly |url=https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2021/02/19/its-time-to-free-ourselves-from-big-tech-monopoly/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/bLDwu |archive-date=23 Feb 2021 |access-date=16 Mar 2025 |website=[[Arizona Capitol Times]]}}</ref> have opened investigations into anti-competitive practices, or considered or already passed legislation to force "gatekeeper platforms" such as Apple to be more reasonable with third-party developers.