Apple Implements App Store Changes from U.S. Settlement

Apple has made three changes to its App Store policies for developers related to an August settlement with U.S.-based developers. The changes are an important if minor step towards a fairer future for all developers who target Apple’s platforms.

“The updates to the App Store Review Guidelines support new features in upcoming OS releases, better protect customers, and help your apps go through the review process as smoothly as possible,” Apple’s description of the changes explains.

Windows Intelligence In Your Inbox

Sign up for our new free newsletter to get three time-saving tips each Friday — and get free copies of Paul Thurrott's Windows 11 and Windows 10 Field Guides (normally $9.99) as a special welcome gift!

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

There are three changes, and one is directly related to the class-action lawsuit settlement: Apple removed a clause from its App Store policies that forbid developers from using information about their own customers to contact them and inform them about alternative (e.g. non-Apple) payment methods. Now, developers can perform acts like “sending an individual user an email about other purchasing methods after that individual signs up for an account within the app.” How noble of Apple.

Granted, this change is limited: It applies only to developers in the U.S., and Apple still doesn’t allow developers to communicate payment alternatives in their own apps.

Share post

Please check our Community Guidelines before commenting

Conversation 6 comments

  • red.radar

    Premium Member
    23 October, 2021 - 11:36 am

    <p>No one reads email anymore its just a spam hole. Is the communication limited to email or can the app developer send in-app notifications? </p><p><br></p><p><br></p>

    • Username

      23 October, 2021 - 3:41 pm

      <p>&gt; <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">No one reads email anymore its just a spam hole.&nbsp;</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">moronic. Says more about you.</span></p>

      • rm

        25 October, 2021 - 8:50 am

        <p>Actually red-radar is trying to make a point about people in general, you are ignoring the fact that a lot of people do not read their email. Almost sounds like you are trying to protect Apple and doing so anonymously.</p><p><br></p>

        • pecosbob04

          25 October, 2021 - 10:10 am

          <p>"<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Almost sounds like you are trying to </span><em style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">protect Apple</em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> and doing so anonymously." </span></p><p>Prima facie that seems like more than a bit of a leap of illogic on you part. Protect Apple from whom or what? Apple has a fine team of in house lawyers and the wherewithal to engage outside counsel if it feels that its interests need protecting.They hardly need to use posters on a Microsoft centric web site to accomplish that goal. But, about anonymously I see where you are coming from <strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">rm</strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">.</span></p>

    • JH_Radio

      Premium Member
      24 October, 2021 - 11:35 am

      <p>I read email all the time.</p>

    • Daekar

      25 October, 2021 - 3:00 pm

      <p>The thing people don’t pay attention to is phone calls. I estimate that 90% of the calls I receive are spam.</p>

Windows Intelligence In Your Inbox

Sign up for our new free newsletter to get three time-saving tips each Friday

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Thurrott © 2024 Thurrott LLC