Apple and Patreon

Has the recent move by Apple to force new Patreon subscriptions taken out on Apple devices to be paid for by App Store billing been discussed on here. This allows Apple to take 30% of the fee paid which seems outrageous given that most Patreons are small hobbyists, museums etc.

https://news.patreon.com/articles/understanding-apple-requirements-for-patreon

How is this gouging legal? – it seems like something from a mafia film. Corporate greed at it’s worst imo.

force new Patreon subscriptions taken out on Apple devices to be paid for by App Store billing

somewhat click-baity! This only applies if using the Patreon app, I think – if it’s via a web browser then it’s business as usual? I can see why they want to take a cut of app purchases but agree 30% is particularly egregious! I’m sure I remember reading about a class-action lawsuit to challenge it but don’t know how they got on (probably badly!)

I thought as a result of a legal case they had to allow alternate means (e.g. via a web-site) for people to do this sort of payment (previously it was against their T&Cs so could block the app from the store if developers did this). As long as there’s an alternative without the Apple tax (and to be fair it’s not just Apple that takes this sort of a cut on their store), that the application developer can advertise within the app, then I don’t really mind.

the EU is trying to unpick this atm. I’m amazed that this racket has gone on for as long as it has.

its ~20% of all of apples income

If you think that’s a racket, wait till you see what other US corporations take as royalty percentages. I’ve always envied app developers their 70%!

Standard big tech software company model, insert yourself as a middleman where none was previously required.

Get a big commission just for essentially running a website.

Yep that’s bad but at least you can avoid it.  With our online payment ‘solution’ there are at least 3 people in the chain taking a cut.  Makes me cry 🙁

If you want to donate to charity send a bank transfer direct to their account and write what project it’s for.  Tell them to make it anonymous if you never want to hear from them again