Apple to Loosen Store Rules for "Reader Apps"
Apple announced they decided to further relax its App Store rules, and they will now let content apps have links to their websites meaning that users will be able to set up and manage accounts.
The new rules will launch in early 2022 globally for "reader apps," which are content apps featuring ebooks, newspapers, audio, music, and video.
The move is a part of a settlement with Japan's Fair Trade Commission, which examined Apple's actions for the past five years focused on video and music apps.
"To ensure a safe and seamless user experience, the App Store's guidelines require developers to sell digital services and subscriptions using Apple's in-app payment system," the press release states. "Because developers of reader apps do not offer in-app digital goods and services for purchase, Apple agreed with the JFTC to let developers of these apps share a single link to their website to help users set up and manage their account."
Previously, Apple agreed to let developers of iPhone apps email their users information regarding cheaper ways to pay for subscriptions and media by circumventing App Store's commission system that charges 30%. The in-app notifications are still prohibited. It is a part of a preliminary settlement of a nearly 2-year-old lawsuit filed on behalf of iPhone app developers in the U.S.
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney addressed the new "reader app" announcement on Twitter, discussing Apple's statement saying that "developers of reader apps do not offer in-app digital goods and services for purchase."
"This bit isn't really true, now, is it?" Sweeney wrote. "Amazon video offers digital goods for sale, like individual movies for purchase or rent, that can be experienced in-app."
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