Apple allegedly halts updates for WordPress' iOS app due to its lack of in-app purchases

[Polycount]

In context: Apple has been at the center of a major controversy following the removal of Fortnite from the App Store (due to Epic's attempt to circumvent Apple's 30 percent revenue cut). Several developers have used the situation as an opportunity to express their frustration with the App Store's locked-down nature and the inconsistent enforcement of the store's rules.

Today, WordPress co-founder Matt Mullenweg took to Twitter to describe his own brush with Apple's strange business practices. The developer says WordPress' iOS app has not received updates lately because it had been "locked by App Store" (sic).

According to the developer, the WordPress app cannot ship updates or bug fixes until Mullenweg and co. commit to supporting "in-app purchases for .com plans." What makes this situation so unusual is that the WordPress for iOS app does not contain purchases in the first place -- it's completely free to use. It merely offers users a way to create and manage websites.

WordPress does separately sell .com domain names, which seems to be what Apple is attempting to gain revenue from. However, again, these sales do not take place through the WordPress iOS app. Why Apple feels it should be earning a cut of that income is a mystery to us, so we'll be reaching out to the company for clarification.

Heads up on why @WordPressiOS updates have been absent... we were locked by App Store. To be able to ship updates and bug fixes again we had to commit to support in-app purchases for .com plans. I know why this is problematic, open to suggestions. Allow others IAP? New name?

— Matt Mullenweg (@photomatt) August 21, 2020

Mullenweg, for his part, appears to be taking Apple's demands in stride. "I am a big believer in the sanctity of licenses," he wrote in a tweet. "We agreed to this license when we signed up for (and stayed in) the app store, so going to follow and abide by the rules. Not looking to skirt it, hence doing what they asked us to."

Precisely how Mullenweg and his team will abide by the rules is a much trickier topic. The developer is still trying to figure out the best way to approach the situation and comply with Apple's policies without inconveniencing its users. So far, he's considered rebranding the app or allowing paid WordPress plugin makers to funnel sales through it, but neither option is set in stone yet, it seems.

Masthead credit: PhuShutter via Shutterstock

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/86471-apple-allegedly-halts-updates-wordpress-ios-app-due.html

 

[Goat11]

Apple has become a greedy giant. They are going after WP to ramp up revenue? damn that sounds desperate

 

[gerjy5w]

All about the money.

 

[candle_86]

So if your company makes money doing anything even if it's not part of the apps functions apple wants a cut of the pie. Are they locking valve out because they don't get 30% of their sales?

 

[franticfrosty]

Up next, the wikipedia app on IOS now requires a minimum apple app store revenue push of $10,000,000 a week to be allowed to update (jk)(sik)

 

[DelJo63]

Story doesn't make sense as IN-APP sales are not normally required. Someone is drinking the cool-aid

 

[DelJo63]

IOS now requires a minimum apple app store revenue push of $10,000,000 a week

OH YEAH -- another fact spread by thw White House (NOT)

 

[franticfrosty]

Story doesn't make sense as IN-APP sales are not normally required. Someone is drinking the cool-aid

It makes perfect sense when you realize how busy the wordpress app can get and how much money could be generated, if only they had apples in app purchasing component, they probably had a meeting like "So.. we're loosing potentially trillions by wordpress not doing sales, just like how the music industry lost $200 Trillion thanks to spotify, Lets fix this.. Bart.. send the email, With haste!"

 

[Kirby1]

Greediest company out there these days.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

OH YEAH -- another fact spread by thw White House (NOT)

Dude, not everything has to have politics shoved into it. Just laugh at the joke and move on man.

 

[EClyde]

Dude, not everything has to have politics shoved into it. Just laugh at the joke and move on man.

Follow your advice dude

 

[Shadowboxer]

Apple have since apologised;

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www....7424/apple-wordpress-apology-iap-free-ios-app

The thing that gets me about all of this though is that if you don’t like Apples App Store policies you’re welcome to either defect to another platform like Android, or jailbreak your device. So, if you don’t like this, just don’t buy Apple! It’s quite easily done and you would also probably save money.

 

[isamuelson]

Apple have since apologised;

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www....7424/apple-wordpress-apology-iap-free-ios-app

The thing that gets me about all of this though is that if you don’t like Apples App Store policies you’re welcome to either defect to another platform like Android, or jailbreak your device. So, if you don’t like this, just don’t buy Apple! It’s quite easily done and you would also probably save money.

I don't buy Apple products but this is still shady and if true, this needs to be stopped.

 

[m4a4]

Just another reason why Apple should get knocked down a few pegs.

There are just too many reasons at this point, and I hope more people come out and shed some light on Apple's crappy (and anti-competitive) policies...

 

[jpuroila]

Apple have since apologised;

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www....7424/apple-wordpress-apology-iap-free-ios-app

The thing that gets me about all of this though is that if you don’t like Apples App Store policies you’re welcome to either defect to another platform like Android, or jailbreak your device. So, if you don’t like this, just don’t buy Apple! It’s quite easily done and you would also probably save money.

"Just forgo 25% of your potential revenue" is not a reasonable proposition for developers.

 

[Shadowboxer]

"Just forgo 25% of your potential revenue" is not a reasonable proposition for developers.

That’s less than steam charge developers. And steam are charging for access to an operating system they don’t even maintain - windows!

Personallt I think Apple can charge what they like, if people aren’t happy they can go elsewhere. Apple doesn’t have a monopoly on smartphones.

 

[jpuroila]

That’s less than steam charge developers. And steam are charging for access to an operating system they don’t even maintain - windows!

Personallt I think Apple can charge what they like, if people aren’t happy they can go elsewhere. Apple doesn’t have a monopoly on smartphones.

Valve and Apple both take 30% cut, and Valve doesn't charge for access to any operating system - they only charge for access to their own storefront and infrastructure. If you want to distribute games for windows, you can make your own storefront or use alternatives like GOG or itch.io or EGS. Also, Valve isn't demanding a 30% cut of all transactions that take place if the game was initially distributed through Steam - in fact, you can even sell games elsewhere, then distribute through Steam and Valve doesn't get a cut of those sales.

This may sound like I'm defending Valve's business practices, but I'm not - I'm just pointing out how much worse Apple is.