Apple has now apologized to WordPress following a dispute between the two companies over in-app purchases in the WordPress iOS app. The popular CMS provides a free app to its users on the App Store that does not offer in-app purchases, although WordPress also uses the app to promote its paid subscriptions. However, users cannot purchase subscriptions through the app and must do so through the company's website. To prevent WordPress from advertising its paid services in its free app, Apple came up with a plan where it would block app updates until the open source project allows in-app purchases. The reason is that Apple receives a 30% discount on all in-app purchases made through apps hosted on its store. However, recently, Epic Games publicly challenged this practice by allowing users to purchase virtual currency directly in Fortnite, leading to the popular battle royale game being banned.
Apple apologizes
Apple's plan to block iOS app updates from WordPress ran counter to a recent policy update after its dispute with Basecamp over the company's Hey messaging app. at the beginning of this year. The email service required users to activate a subscription through the company's website, but Apple demanded that it allow users to sign up for the service directly through the app, which would allow the iPhone maker to receive its reduction. 30% on subscription fees. In a tweet, WordPress developer Matt Mullenwag explained that Apple plans to remove updates and bug fixes for the iOS app from the project unless it commits to supporting in-app purchases. . The tweet received a lot of attention online, and Apple was eventually forced to back down, prompting the company to release the following statement: “We believe the issue with the WordPress app has been resolved. Since the developer removed the display of its service payment options from the app, it is now a free standalone app and does not have to offer in-app purchases. We have notified the developer and apologize for any confusion we may have caused. "While Apple and WordPress may have ended their recent dispute, Epic Games and other developers are far from over when it comes to fighting the company over its 30% cut on in-app purchases. The policy could have had It made sense when the App Store first launched, but now that consumers really only have two app stores to choose from, Google and Apple may need to change their policies to avoid future antitrust legislation.