Apple has made the situation clearer with the WordPress iOS app, apologizing for the bug of developer updates for blocking the app until they added in-app purchases, despite the app not including functionality that includes payments.
On Friday, it was reported that the lack of app updates for the WordPress app was due to it being “locked” in the App Store. After three weeks of absence, app developers had agreed to implement some form of in-app purchase to the app to enable updates to continue again, among other possible solutions.
In a statement provided to AppleInsider on Saturday, Apple claims that the problem with the app was “solved” last night.
“Since the developer removed the display of their payment options from the app, it is now a free stand-alone app and does not offer in-app purchases,” says Apple. “We have informed the developer and apologized for any inconvenience we may have caused.”
At the time the block came to light, it was suggested that the app was blocked because it was possible for users to see a page in the app’s Help Center about upgrades to paid plans. This is in reference to the paid hosting offers of WordPress.com, which are managed from the website, not from the app.
Although the app itself does not offer any monetary transaction capability at all, it is believed that the mention in the support page for the website version was a violation of the guidelines of the App Store review.
The confusion about in-app purchases comes at a time when the App Store is facing intense scrutiny. Apple is currently conducting anti-trust investigations by regulators in the US and Europe, while a public legal battle is taking place between Epic Games and Apple.
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