TOPLINE
Apple on Saturday reversed an earlier decision forcing website developer WordPress to add in-app purchases to its app, and a dispute over Apple’s controversial 30% fee, as other large companies target the company ‘e App Store.
Matt Mullenweg, Founder Developer, WordPress, at the center stage on day 3 of the 2014 web … [+]
KEY FACTS
WordPress developer Matt Mullenwag tweeted Friday that Apple blocked him from updating the iPhone WordPress app until he added the ability to make in-app purchases.
The WordPress app lets users create and update websites, but it sells for nothing, prompting many to accuse Apple of WordPress strongly in offering a paid service so that it can take a cut in revenue.
Apple, meanwhile, said the app at one point had a section on payment plans, which the company says is a violation of its rules that prevent developers from selling services outside of Apple’s payment system – although Ferry reported users could do nothing more than look at the list of paid plans.
In a statement on Saturday, Apple said WordPress was no longer required to include in-app purchases because “the developer removed the display of their payment service options from the app … we have informed the developer and sorry for any confusion we caused. “
Apple takes a 30% cut on all in-app purchases and requires developers to use Apple’s payment systems so that it can also pay a fee for in-app purchases and subscriptions.
Key background
WordPress is not the only company that has problems with Apple’s App Store fees. Fortnite owner Epic Games sued both Apple and Google over the 30% fee after both companies launched the app from their platforms for using a different payment system. Major news organizations, Spotify and Facebook, have also publicly dismissed Apple’s compensation, calling the policy unfair, anti-competitive.
